The ministry said middle-strike operations are intended to destroy targets that directly affect Russia’s ability to conduct offensive and defensive operations. These include air defence systems, radars, warehouses, command posts, logistics facilities, and oil and energy infrastructure.
FPV drones have reshaped the tactical level of the war, while deep-strike drones and missiles target strategic sites far inside Russia. Middle-strike operations cover the operational space between them, enabling systematic attacks at ranges of about 30 to 200 km.
At that depth, Russia maintains much of the critical infrastructure that supports the front line. The ministry said strikes on ammunition depots, command posts, supply routes, air defence systems, radars and drone control centres reduce Russia’s ability to move resources quickly and sustain offensive operations.
One of the main priorities for middle-strike operations is the destruction of Russian air defence systems and radars. Ukraine said it began systematically degrading Russia’s ability to defend against aerial threats in 2026.
In April, Ukraine’s Defence Forces, including the Unmanned Systems Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine, destroyed nearly twice as many air defence systems and radars as in October last year, according to the ministry. It said the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine had confirmed the neutralisation of 81 Russian air defence systems since 1 March 2026.The ministry said these operations gradually deplete Russian reserves and create more opportunities for strikes deep in the enemy rear. Middle-strike drones including the FP-2, Hornet and Bulava play a critical role in this effort.
In the final kilometres of flight, such systems can operate autonomously, scan terrain and independently identify targets. Their operating range reaches up to 200 km into the enemy rear.
The ministry said the loss of Russian radars, launchers and cover assets changes the situation fundamentally. It said Russian air defence then detects aerial threats less effectively and reacts more slowly, opening the way for further middle-strike and deep-strike operations.
Crimea is another key area of operations. Ukrainian Defence Forces are systematically targeting Russian air defence systems on the temporarily occupied peninsula.
Since the beginning of the year, 12 Pantsir air defence missile and gun systems of various variants have been neutralised in Crimea, according to the ministry. It said this matters because Pantsir systems help protect Russian military facilities, airfields, depots and command posts.
The ministry said their destruction degrades Russia’s defensive architecture and creates conditions for the further isolation of the peninsula. Ukrainian strikes are also targeting hangars, radars, S-400 systems and UAV control systems.The ministry described the effect as cumulative. It said Russia is losing not only individual assets, but also elements of its command, surveillance and defensive architecture.
Middle-strike operations are also taking place in other temporarily occupied regions and along Russia’s border areas. The systematic weakening of air defence and logistics is creating conditions for deeper strikes, including against targets near Moscow.
The Ministry of Defence said Ukrainian Defence Forces had struck the Moscow Oil Refinery, the Solnechnogorskaya fuel loading station, the Volodarskaya petroleum-product pumping station and the Angstrem microelectronics plant in Zelenograd near Moscow. It said the operation was significant because Moscow and the Moscow region are among the most heavily defended areas in Russia.
The ministry said the results show there are no longer completely safe locations for Russian military infrastructure anywhere in Russia. It said Ukraine is systematically degrading air defence systems, logistics and support infrastructure while steadily increasing strike depth.
Ukraine described middle-strike operations as an emerging game-changer in the war. It said they provide flexibility, scalability, a systematic strike option and support for deeper attacks.
The systems can be adapted quickly to specific targets, electronic warfare conditions and evolving battlefield needs. They are also less expensive than traditional missile systems and can be produced in larger numbers.
Middle-strike drones also offer flexibility and improved safety for operators. They are not tied to a single launch location and can be launched from different places depending on mission requirements, battlefield conditions and threat levels.
Units can quickly prepare the systems, conduct a mission and relocate. The ministry said flexible training allows operators to learn quickly and share effective tactics between units.Ukraine is increasing contracting and production volumes for middle-strike systems. The ministry said contracts have already been signed this year for five times more such systems than last year, and procurement and production will continue to expand.
Germany will provide $600 million to support the development of Ukraine’s deep-strike and middle-strike capabilities. Under the Build with Ukraine initiative, joint production of AI-enabled middle-strike drones is also being launched, with several thousand drones planned for Ukraine’s Defence Forces in the first phase.
Ukraine is also working with Norway on a first joint production project for Ukrainian drones. Several thousand middle-strike drones are planned for manufacture in Norway.
The ministry described this cooperation as a win-win partnership within Ukraine’s defence strategy. It said Ukraine gains expanded production capacity and more capabilities for the front line, while partners receive access to technologies and expertise proven in real warfare.
Ukraine called on partners to continue investing in priority capabilities. These include air defence, Ukrainian drones and missiles, middle-strike and deep-strike capabilities, and long-range munitions.
The ministry said those capabilities have already proved their effectiveness. It said they will help Ukraine end the war from a position of strength.