Ukraine Strikes at the Industrial Heart of Russia Using Bases in Libya, Says Retired General
Retired Major General of the Australian Army, author of 'Transformation of War', noted that Ukraine has struck deeper into the industrial heart of Russia than ever before during the ongoing conflict. These strikes are part of Ukraine's Mediterranean campaign, which actively employs drones based in Libya.
This week, Ukraine's campaign to deliver long-range strikes on Russian territory reached a new geographical and strategic scale. The model of these attacks, which includes the use of precision drones targeting energy, chemical, and defense industry facilities, continues to gain momentum. Strikes are increasingly penetrating deep into the territory of the Russian Federation by more than 1,000 kilometers, occurring almost daily.
For several consecutive nights, heavy strikes have been observed against the energy infrastructure in the Leningrad region. Earlier this spring, at the end of March, Ukraine targeted the Novatek terminal in Ust-Luga and the KINEF oil refinery in Kirishi, Leningrad region. This refinery is one of the three largest in Russia, with a capacity of about 355,000 barrels per day. On March 29, Ust-Luga suffered another attack, resulting in renewed fires at storage and unloading facilities.
The cumulative effect of these strikes on Russia's export infrastructure is significant. They not only damage specific facilities but also impact the overall economic stability of the country. As Ukraine continues to enhance its technologies and tactics, such strikes may become a regular occurrence, potentially altering the course of the war.
These events underscore the importance of international support for Ukraine as it strives to defend its independence and territorial integrity. At the same time, they indicate that Russia must reassess its defense strategies as the threat from Ukrainian forces grows increasingly formidable.
In the context of modern military conflicts, the use of drones for conducting strategic attacks has become a crucial element. This not only reduces risks to personnel but also allows for significant results to be achieved over considerable distances. Thus, Ukraine demonstrates its ability to adapt to new challenges and leverage modern technologies to achieve its objectives in the war.