MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an intensification of long-range missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, according to Russian state media reports, as the war enters a new phase of sustained cross-border attacks and counterstrikes.
Putin, dressed in military uniform during a visit to a forward command post near the frontline, said Russian forces would “continue and expand” aerial operations targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure and defence industry facilities. He reportedly instructed senior commanders to accelerate operational tempo and increase pressure on key strategic sites.
According to statements attributed to the Kremlin, the renewed campaign focuses on what Moscow describes as Ukrainian military command centres, weapons production facilities, logistics hubs, and energy-related infrastructure supporting defence operations. Russian officials argue these targets are directly linked to Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities.
Putin also emphasised the need to counter what Russia describes as increasing Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory. He said it was necessary to expand a so-called “security zone” along border regions, a term Moscow has previously used to justify deeper strikes and buffer-zone operations inside or near Ukrainian-controlled areas.
The announcement comes amid a sharp escalation in aerial warfare, with both sides increasingly relying on drones, precision missiles, and long-range strike systems. Ukrainian officials have reported continued Russian bombardments in multiple regions, while Russia has accused Ukraine of expanding drone operations deeper into its territory.
Military analysts say the shift in rhetoric suggests Russia is preparing for a prolonged phase of intensified air and missile operations, aimed at degrading Ukraine’s defence production capacity and limiting its ability to sustain frontline operations.
Ukraine has not yet issued an official response to the latest reported remarks, but has consistently maintained that Russian strikes deliberately target civilian infrastructure in addition to military objectives — an accusation Moscow denies.
The war, now in its extended phase, continues to see heavy fighting along multiple frontlines, with no immediate signs of a comprehensive political settlement despite ongoing international diplomatic efforts.
