Russia Can’t Hit Ukraine’s High-Value Assets

Ukraine is increasingly seizing the strategic initiative in the air and behind the lines, exploiting weaknesses in Russian reconnaissance and targeting networks. Russian reliance on drones such as Orlan, Zala, and Lancet is faltering under Ukraine’s sophisticated electronic warfare and mobile air surveillance systems. Without accurate targeting data, Russian artillery and missile strikes are losing effectiveness, leaving supply lines, depots, and command posts exposed. This degradation of Russian situational awareness allows Ukraine’s long-range systems, including Himars and strike drones, to operate with greater freedom and precision. The imbalance shifts the operational advantage, making Russian offensives more vulnerable while Ukrainian forces can disrupt logistics and force concentrations at will. In this environment, the collapse of Russian rear reconnaissance is not just a tactical setback—it is a structural vulnerability that threatens the sustainability of Moscow’s military campaign.