The Russia-Ukraine Air War Has Entered a New, Deadlier Phase

Live updates

1. 19d ago

   Russia and Ukraine Escalate Air War with Deep Strikes and Massive Bombardments

   The air war between Russia and Ukraine has entered a deadlier phase characterized by expanded targeting and increased destruction. Russia recently conducted a massive strike targeting nine Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones, including ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv. Simultaneously, Ukraine has resumed drone attacks on Moscow and widened its target list, showing a higher tolerance for civilian casualties. This shift toward deep-strike capabilities and ruthless tactics indicates a transition in strategy as neither side nears a definitive end to the conflict.

   Why it matters

   The conflict is shifting from front-line attrition to a war of deep strikes using drones and ballistic missiles. This evolution increases the risk to urban centers and civilian populations far from the immediate battlefields. The acceleration of these tactics suggests a move toward strategic degradation of infrastructure.

   What is confirmed

   • Russia launched a massive attack using missiles and drones against nine Ukrainian cities starting Wednesday night.
   • Ballistic missiles launched by Russia struck Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions.
   • Ukraine has resumed drone attacks on Moscow.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Ukraine has widened its targets and increased its tolerance for civilian casualties.
   • Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow resumed hours after a visit from the CIA director.

   What to watch next

   • Evidence of new drone swarm tactics being deployed in strategic operations
   • Official responses from the Kremlin regarding Ukrainian deep-strike drone capabilities
   • Reports on civilian casualty figures from the latest Russian strikes on nine cities
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. politico.eu — Ukraine widens its targets — and its tolerance for civilian casualties
   2. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow resume hours after CIA director's visit, mayor says
   3. WSJ — The Russia-Ukraine Air War Has Entered a New, Deadlier Phase
   4. The Kyiv Independent — Explosions rock Kyiv as Russia launches ballistic missiles at the capital and other regions across Ukraine
   5. Reuters — Explosions heard in Ukraine's Kyiv, Reuters witness says
   6. Militarnyi — Drone Swarms: Where Tactics End and Strategy Begins
   7. WSJ — The Russia-Ukraine War Gets More Ruthless and Destructive—but No Closer to Ending
   8. apnews.com — Russia bombards 9 Ukrainian cities overnight, calling the strikes ‘massive’
   9. AP News — Russia says it launched a ‘massive’ overnight strike on 9 Ukrainian cities
   10. weeklyblitz.net — Europe must prepare for the possibility of Ukraine’s defeat
   11. Center for a New American Security | CNAS — Front Line Dynamics, Deep Strikes, and a Theory of Victory
   12. MiGFlug — Why Russia Can't Stop Ukraine's Deep-Strike Drones
   confidence 85%