Russian air defence in retreat

In a post on the X platform, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian intelligence “obtained internal Russian documents with a real assessment of the consequences of Ukraine’s long-range sanctions. Measures taken by the Russian leadership in response to the situation have also been documented. One such measure is the redeployment of air defence systems from Russian regions to Moscow and to the Kerch Bridge. Basically, these are the two perimeters the Russians have been ordered to protect by weakening other areas on their own territory and in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. We will draw the necessary conclusions.”

“We are preparing new, entirely just steps in response to Russia prolonging the war and its strikes on Ukrainian territory. It is important that as many Russians as possible come to understand that it is the Russian leadership’s rejection of diplomacy that is prolonging the war,” Zelenskyy added.

Previously, the Ukrainians attacked air defence systems in the Kerch Strait area as well as the Saky and Hvardiiske military airfields in Russian-occupied Crimea.

Ukraine’s capabilities to strike targets of strategic importance to Moscow are forcing changes in the deployment of Russian air defences. However, this does not guarantee the retaking of occupied Ukrainian territories, including Crimea. Nevertheless, further losses and accurate strikes may convince the aggressor to enter negotiations, which is currently the primary goal of the Ukrainian side.