Mid-range strikes have become a new priority in the war: Ukraine is stepping up its attacks

Ukraine has sharply increased its use of medium-range drones, which strike targets at an operational depth of up to 200 km behind Russian lines. According to the Ministry of Defence, the number of such strikes doubled in April, and over a thousand geolocated attacks have been confirmed since the start of the year. The main targets have been air defence systems, depots, logistics and energy infrastructure. Ukrainian AI-powered drones bypass electronic warfare systems and locate targets autonomously, thereby enhancing the campaign’s effectiveness.

Midstrikes: a new phase in the war

Adviser to the Ministry of Defence Sergey «Flash» stated that the war had entered a phase of ‘deep strikes’ and ‘mid-range strikes’, in which the parties are systematically attacking each other’s infrastructure. According to him, Ukraine has the upper hand due to the greater number of critical facilities in Russia, which are difficult to defend even in the long term.

At the same time, Ukrainian rear regions remain vulnerable to attacks, particularly those involving petrol-fuelled kamikaze drones. «Flash» emphasised that Russia is attacking targets up to 100 km inland — from petrol stations to power substations and warehouses.

The dynamics and scale of mid-range strikes

According to the Ministry of Defence, in April 2026 the number of mid-range strikes doubled compared with March, and quadrupled compared with February. Since the beginning of March, 81 Russian air defence systems have been confirmed as having been neutralised, and dozens of depots, logistics facilities and command posts have been hit.

In Crimea Twelve «Pantsir» systems of various variants have been destroyed, along with radars, hangars, UAV control systems and S-400 components. According to estimates by OSINT analysts, since the start of the year, over a thousand geolocated strikes have been carried out deep behind Russian lines, extending more than 100 km into Russian territory.

Technological evolution: the role of AI and manufacturing

Ukrainian drones middle-strike missiles are equipped with artificial intelligence, enabling autonomous navigation without GPS, the ability to evade electronic warfare systems, and independent target acquisition during the terminal phase of flight.

Production of these drones is on the rise: five times as many contracts have been signed as last year. The ‘Build with Ukraine’ programme involves joint production with Germany and Norway, enabling production to be scaled up to several thousand units.

Strategic impact and the parties’ reactions

Minister of Defence Mikhail Fedorov confirmed that the number of mid-range strikes had doubled in April and highlighted their impact on the situation at the front. Brigadier General Yevhen Lasiichuk noted that Ukraine is already capable of striking targets up to 100 km away, including petrol stations, electricity substations and command posts.

Serhiy «Flash» emphasised that mid-range strikes have become the new priority, replacing deep strikes. OSINT analysts regard the campaign as systematic rather than a series of isolated incidents. The Russian response to these strikes is not detailed in open sources.

Outstanding issues and trends

The exact number of enemy casualties and the types of drones being used are not always disclosed in open sources. The impact on the Russian Federation’s civilian infrastructure remains unclear, although strikes on the energy and logistics sectors could have wider repercussions.

The escalation of mid-range strikes, technological superiority and international support are creating the conditions for a further weakening of Russia’s defences. At the same time, the campaign poses risks to Ukraine’s rear areas, which remain vulnerable to retaliatory strikes.