The conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, with global attention shifting toward the intensifying military maneuvers on both sides. NATO-backed Ukrainian forces have extended their strikes deep into Russian territory, while Russia has escalated its response with a series of devastating group strikes targeting Ukraine’s military and infrastructure. Recent developments highlight the growing precision and scale of Russian assaults, raising doubts about Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defense in the long term.
On the night of November 28, Russia launched a comprehensive strike using 90 missiles and 100 UAVs. The operation hit 17 critical targets, including military installations and infrastructure essential to Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the scale of the attack during a session of the Collective Security Council (CSTO) in Astana, framing it as a necessary military strategy.
Among the most striking aspects of the November 28 offensive was Russia’s use of cruise missiles armed with cluster munitions, a tactic that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned as a “vile escalation of terrorist tactics.” Zelenskyy’s condemnation is laced with irony, given that Ukrainian forces themselves have deployed cluster munitions in the past using Western-supplied ATACMS missiles and HIMARS rockets.
The latest Russian strikes focused heavily on Ukraine’s electrical power generation infrastructure, severely impacting its ability to sustain military and civilian operations. Reports from Russian social media channels and sources like the Donbas Partisan Telegram channel reveal a detailed account of the damages:
- Trikhatki, Nikolaev region: A Kalibr missile destroyed a 250 MVA autotransformer at the 330 kV substation.
- Shostakovka, Kirovohrad region: Two Kalibr cruise missiles hit the PS Ukrainka 330 kV substation, sparking fires and damaging critical components.
- Lutsk and Rivne: Strikes on 330 kV substations caused transformer fires and extensive relay system damage.
- Shepetivka, Khmelnytskyi region: A missile destroyed switchgear and ignited the autotransformer at the local substation.
- Mykhailivka, Vinnytsia region: Four Kh-101/Kh-BD cruise missiles targeted the PS Vinnytskaya 750 kV substation, a key node in the central region’s power supply.
- Ivano-Frankivsk region: A cruise missile hit the Yablunytsia hydroelectric power plant, disrupting backup power for the Kolomyia Air Base, a NATO-linked logistics hub.
These precision strikes demonstrate Russia’s focus on crippling Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defense and maintain basic services, a strategy reminiscent of its earlier campaigns but now executed with greater scale and precision.
Russian forces have refined their tactics and intelligence-gathering capabilities, significantly enhancing their effectiveness on the battlefield. Recent operations highlight improvements in reconnaissance and tracking, coupled with more precise missile and drone strikes.
The Russian Ministry of Defence (RuMoD) recently reported significant successes in targeting Ukraine’s Western-supplied weaponry, including HIMARS and ATACMS launchers.
- November 25: Iskander ballistic missiles eliminated five MLRS launchers near Sumy and neutralized 30 specialists associated with these systems.
- Odessa region: Strikes on Grom-2 experimental ballistic missile launchers and Neptune anti-ship missile systems disrupted Ukrainian capabilities.
- AFU Special Operations Forces: A strike in Sumy killed 72 personnel, including foreign instructors, showcasing Russia’s growing precision in targeting high-value assets.
These achievements underscore Russia’s ability to interdict supply routes and deployment zones for NATO-supplied equipment, potentially tipping the balance in its favor.
Russian forces appear to have enhanced their surveillance capabilities, using a combination of radar, optical imaging satellites, and stealth reconnaissance drones. The introduction of electronic warfare-resistant technologies, such as the Kometa-M GLONASS antenna, has improved the survivability and accuracy of Russian drones like the Geran-2.
The use of drones has become a hallmark of the conflict, with Russia increasingly relying on its Geran-2 kamikaze drones. These UAVs have proven to be a cost-effective and versatile tool for targeting Ukrainian infrastructure and military assets.
On November 10, Russian forces launched 145 Geran-2 drones in a single night, marking a record in the conflict. Despite Ukraine’s air defense systems, only 62 drones were reportedly intercepted, highlighting the growing sophistication of Russian drone tactics.
- AI Integration: Reports suggest that Russia is developing artificial intelligence for its drones, enabling them to operate in coordinated “swarms” to overwhelm air defenses.
- Enhanced Navigation: The use of GLONASS antennas ensures greater navigational accuracy, even in contested environments.
Advanced Variants: The MS236 variant, equipped with optical and thermal imaging seekers, allows for high-precision short-range attacks. These drones can also stream real-time video using Ukrainian SIM cards, enabling operators to adjust targets dynamically.
These advancements represent a significant leap in Russia’s drone warfare capabilities, posing a growing challenge to Ukraine’s defense systems.
Russia’s use of Kinzhal hypersonic missiles has decreased in favor of Iskander-M ground-launched ballistic missiles. The shift reflects a tactical adjustment aimed at minimizing warning times and maximizing impact. Kinzhal missiles, launched from MiG-31Ks, are more vulnerable to detection, reducing their effectiveness in the current conflict dynamics.
Russia’s intensified strikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure and its growing success in targeting NATO-supplied weaponry suggest a strategic pivot aimed at undermining Ukraine’s long-term warfighting capacity. By focusing on supply interdiction and infrastructure destruction, Russia is leveraging its technological and tactical advantages to reshape the battlefield.
As Ukraine grapples with these challenges, the role of international support remains critical. NATO’s continued supply of advanced weaponry and training is vital, but the escalating precision of Russian strikes raises questions about the effectiveness of these efforts.
The intensified Russian campaign could signal a protracted conflict, with both sides adapting to new realities on the ground. Ukraine’s resilience will depend on its ability to innovate in the face of evolving Russian tactics, as well as sustained international backing.
