Ukraine's recent surge in drone strikes on Russian military targets is pressuring Russia to relocate its aircraft and air defense systems further from the front lines, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on August 22.
Although Ukraine's international allies have withheld approval for long-range attacks deep into Russian territory, these drone strikes have begun to disrupt Russian operations.
Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, noted that while the current strikes have not yet had a strategic impact, the sustained damage to Russian airbases is becoming a growing concern for Moscow.
"The current rate of damage inflicted on airbases is something the Russians cannot tolerate long-term, as it would become a serious problem for the air force over time," Bronk explained.
These drone strikes are targeting airbases deep within Russian territory, potentially forcing Russia to move its defenses further back. This shift could make it easier for Ukrainian forces to strike targets closer to the front lines.
Bronk pointed out that this might lead Russia to relocate some fighter jets to bases far from the conflict, reducing their effectiveness on the battlefield.
Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, emphasized that Ukraine's increasing drone attacks are becoming a significant challenge for Russia.
"Even if a drone is shot down, it still forces Russia to reconsider the positioning of its aircraft and air defense systems," Barrie said.
