Ukraine’s Defense Forces have increased the range of deep strike operations into the Russia’s deep rear by more than 2.5 times since the start of the full-scale invasion. If in 2022 Ukrainian forces were able to strike a military target at a distance of about 630 km, today Ukrainian long-range capabilities successfully destroy the Russia’s war machine at distances of around 1,750 km.
The Ministry of Defense highlights key Ukrainian deep strike operations in Russia and explains why the development of long-range capabilities is crucial for the country.
2022: Engels-2 airbase, 650 km
In December 2022, Ukraine struck the Engels-2 airbase in the Saratov region — one of the key bases of Russia’s strategic aviation. As a result of the attack, two Tu-95MS bombers capable of carrying cruise missiles were damaged.
To hit this strategic target, Ukrainian deep strike assets covered about 650 km — a record distance for the first year of the full-scale invasion. This most significant long-range success of the Defense Forces became one of Russia’s most notable air defense failures in 2022.
It should be noted that the Dyagilevo airbase in the Ryazan region (500–600 km) was also struck at the same time.
In 2024, Ukraine expanded the geography of deep strike operations to several strategic regions of Russia:
On April 2, a factory producing Shahed drones in the Alabuga special economic zone was struck for the first time (1,200 km).
On May 9, the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat refinery was hit (1,500 km).
Thus, 2024 became the year when Ukraine began transitioning to systematic long-range strikes against Russia’s military infrastructure.
2026: Ukhta oil refinery, 1,750 km
In February 2026, units of the Security Service of Ukraine and other components of the Defense Forces struck the Ukhta oil refinery in the Komi Republic, Russia. The facility is located approximately 1,750 km from the state border.
It is noted that in 2026 the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to systematically strike both near and deep rear targets in order to force the aggressor toward peace. In particular, in Ufa, at a distance of about 1,400 km, the Bashneft-Novoyl and Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim refineries were hit.
Recall that in March, five strategic plants and ten Russian oil processing facilities were struck. The operations covered territory from temporarily occupied Crimea, the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, to deep rear areas of Russia, including the Leningrad region.
The development of deep strike capabilities is one of Ukraine’s defense priorities. As Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has noted, peace in Ukraine will come when the sky is closed, the Russian army loses its offensive capability, and Russia’s economy cannot withstand the pressure.
“We work every day to make this happen. So that each day of the war becomes a threat to Russia’s existence,” he said.
