In a dramatic escalation of its ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine launched one of its largest-ever drone attacks over the weekend, striking targets deep within Russian territory. The operation targeted a refinery, a power station, and other strategic locations, highlighting the intensifying warfare between the two nations.

Massive Drone Offensive

Videos posted on social media revealed the extent of Ukraine’s drone offensive, which hit key infrastructure in Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged the scale of the attack but sought to downplay its effectiveness. On Sunday, the Ministry reported that 158 Ukrainian UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) had been “destroyed and intercepted by on-duty air defense” across 15 regions, including the capital, Moscow.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed that two drones were downed near the Moscow Oil Refinery. While no casualties were reported, the second drone damaged a technical building at the refinery, sparking a fire that was quickly contained. The incident did not impact the plant’s operations, according to the mayor.

Wider Impacts and Regional Responses

In the Tver region, Governor Igor Rudenya reported that a fire caused by a drone strike in the Konakovo district had been extinguished. He assured residents that gas and electricity services remained fully operational.

This wave of Ukrainian attacks marks a significant increase in cross-border operations, following a similar incursion into Russia’s Kursk region on August 6. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently acknowledged the growing challenges faced by those living near the border, stating, “People are going through tough ordeals, especially in the Kursk region,” as Ukraine intensifies its efforts to destabilize the border regions.

The Battle for Long-Range Firepower

Ukraine’s recent operations are part of a broader strategy to target Russian infrastructure. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov told CNN last week that he had presented the Biden administration with a list of Russian targets Kyiv aims to hit using US-supplied long-range weapons, including Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).

ATACMS, fired from mobile launchers, boast a range of up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) and can deliver devastating payloads, either as single high-explosive warheads or up to 900 submunitions. Despite this, a US official noted that many of Ukraine’s high-value targets within Russia remain beyond the range of ATACMS, as the Russian military has strategically relocated these assets far from the front lines.

However, a recent analysis by the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) supports Ukrainian claims that there are still significant targets within ATACMS range. The ISW identified 233 potential targets, including large military bases, logistics centers, and ammunition depots, that are immobile and thus vulnerable to Ukrainian strikes.

Ukraine’s Evolving Arsenal

While Ukraine continues to lobby for an expansion of ATACMS use, it is also developing indigenous long-range weapons. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the successful deployment of a new jet-powered drone capable of striking deep into Russian territory.

Dubbed the Palianytsia, this missile-drone represents a significant upgrade over Ukraine’s existing drone fleet, with enhanced speed and power. Although Zelensky refrained from providing specific details, he hinted that the Palianytsia might surpass the 1,500-kilometer (932 miles) range of Ukraine’s current drones.

A New Phase in the Conflict

As Ukraine escalates its military operations with increasingly sophisticated technology, the conflict with Russia enters a new and more dangerous phase. With high-stakes attacks on Russian soil becoming more frequent, the world watches closely as both sides grapple with the growing complexities of modern warfare.

As the war grinds on, Ukraine's bold use of drone technology signals its determination to push back against Russian aggression, raising the stakes for both nations in this protracted and brutal conflict.