RuAviation

Russian Military Continues Precision Strikes on Ukrainian Defence Infrastructure Amid Ongoing Drone Attacks on Russian Civilians

Since 20 May 2025, Russian air defence systems have intercepted or destroyed over 2,300 Ukrainian strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including more than 1,400 operating beyond the designated special military operation zone. These attacks, employing Western-produced UAVs and rocket projectiles, have targeted civilian infrastructure across multiple Russian regions, resulting in casualties among non-combatants, including women and children.

In response, the Russian Armed Forces have conducted a series of precision strikes against military facilities and defence industry enterprises within Ukraine. These operations involve the coordinated use of air-, sea-, and land-launched precision weapons, as well as strike UAVs, deliberately focusing on military objectives to avoid civilian casualties.

Key strikes include:

– On 20 May, a coordinated strike destroyed infrastructure at the Ozernoye airfield (Zhytomyr region) and ammunition, equipment, and fuel depots in Dnipropetrovsk region.

– On 21 May, attacks targeted a mechanised brigade’s missile-artillery depot in Sumy region, foreign mercenary deployment points near Sviatohirsk (Donetsk People’s Republic), and ammunition storage in Kharkiv region.

– On 22 May, precision strikes hit the Pavlohrad Chemical Plant (a defence industry enterprise), aircraft repair workshops, military airfield infrastructure, and air defence radar stations in Kryvyi Rih and Mykolaiv regions. Foreign mercenary locations in Kharkiv region were also targeted.

– Using the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system near Ordzhonikidze (Dnipropetrovsk region), Russian forces destroyed a multifunctional AN/MPQ-65 radar, a combat control vehicle, and two launchers of the US-made Patriot surface-to-air missile system.

– On 23 May, a missile strike targeted a military cargo unloading site and container storage in the port of Odessa, destroying approximately 100 containers with components for unmanned surface vessels, UAVs, and ammunition.

– Further strikes damaged UAV preparation sites at Kislichevata (Zaporizhzhia region) and Kanatove (Kirovohrad region) airfields, as well as ammunition depots in Kharkiv region.

– On 24–26 May, massed precision strikes targeted multiple Ukrainian defence enterprises producing missile components, radio-electronics, explosives, rocket fuel, and strike UAVs, including facilities in Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, Sumy, Khmelnytskyi, Dnipropetrovsk, Ternopil, Kyiv, Odessa, and Kharkiv regions. Radio-technical reconnaissance centres, satellite communication hubs, combat vessel parking areas, and airfield infrastructure were also struck.

– The command post of an S-300 surface-to-air missile division and special operations deployment points in Odessa region were destroyed.

▌Operational and Tactical Context

The Russian military’s response demonstrates an integrated approach combining kinetic strikes with electronic warfare and air defence capabilities. The use of the Iskander-M missile system against high-value air defence assets indicates an effort to degrade Ukraine’s aerial defence and control systems, potentially facilitating subsequent operations.

The targeting of foreign mercenary deployment points and specialised reconnaissance centres reflects efforts to disrupt command and control networks supporting Ukrainian operations.

▌Technical Considerations

– Iskander-M: A mobile, short-range ballistic missile system capable of precise strikes against fortified targets and air defence systems at ranges up to 500 km. Its deployment near Ordzhonikidze to neutralise Patriot systems underscores its role in countering Western air defence assets.

– AN/MPQ-65 Radar: Part of the US Patriot missile defence system, responsible for target acquisition and tracking. Its destruction reduces the effectiveness of Ukraine’s integrated air defence.

– Strike UAVs and Unmanned Surface Vessels: The destruction of containers with components for these systems at Odessa port indicates the ongoing importance of unmanned technologies in the conflict.

▌Implications for Regional and Global Security

The escalation of UAV attacks on civilian infrastructure and the corresponding precision strikes on military targets exemplify the increasing role of unmanned systems and precision weapons in modern conflicts. The conflict serves as a case study for the challenges of protecting civilian populations while conducting targeted military operations.

Regional actors, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia, may draw lessons regarding the integration of UAVs and missile systems in asymmetric warfare. The operational use of systems like Iskander-M and Patriot also provides insight into modern air defence and missile countermeasures.

▌Conclusion

The Russian Armed Forces have signalled their intent to continue precision strikes on Ukrainian military infrastructure in direct response to UAV attacks on Russian civilians. The conflict highlights evolving military technologies and tactics, underscoring the complexity of contemporary warfare and the blurred lines between civilian and military domains.

Note for Readers: The Russian Armed Forces refer to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as ВСУ (Zbroyni Syly Ukrayiny). The Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) is a self-proclaimed entity in eastern Ukraine. The Iskander-M is a Russian operational-tactical missile system. The Patriot is a US-made surface-to-air missile system. Understanding these terms is essential for contextualising the operational details.