There are no safe zones left in Russia: FT on attacks on Russian airfields
By striking at Russian strategic airfields, Ukraine has proved that it can hit targets at a long distance without Western weapons. This is reported by the Financial Times.
The publication notes that it also showed that there are no safe zones left in Russia.
Representatives of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and analysts said that the strikes on airfields are part of a new tactic aimed at disrupting Russian military planning.
– The attacks are repeated. We have no range restrictions, and soon we will be able to hit all targets in Russia, particularly in Siberia,” a Ukrainian government defence adviser told the FT on condition of anonymity.
Ukraine has not publicly claimed responsibility for the strikes and many details remain secret. The FT notes that this is typical of other alleged operations by Kyiv, such as the attack on the Russian base in Sevastopol.
But what distinguishes Ukraine’s latest strikes from the others is their range and the fact that they bypassed Russia’s air defenses, hitting strategic military bases previously described as “invulnerable.”
Analysts believe that in the long term, such attacks could lead to Russia dispersing its aircraft domestically, which would help protect them from new attacks but complicate operations.
– These attacks… will certainly make the Russians less confident… They will have to think about how to distribute military assets and ensure their security,” the Western defense official said.
He added that the Russians will doubt their ability to defend their strategic facilities in the country.
Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, also believes that after the explosions at Engels and Dyagilevo airfields, the Russian command may relocate strategic aviation.
On the morning of December 5, there were explosions at the military airfield in Engels, Saratov region. It was reported that a drone crashed on the runway, damaging two Tu-195 strategic bombers.
Photo: Maxar
