--- title: "Operation 'Sky': How Ukraine Moved the War Deep into Russia in 2026" description: "πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ Ukraine tripled the number of strikes on Russia in 2026. AP: Kyiv targets oil facilities, factories, and Wildberries warehouses. Zelenskyy: Putin is losing the initiative, the war has moved to the sky. πŸš€" date: 2026-08-11T20:52:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/operation-sky-how-ukraine-moved-the-war-deep-into-russia-in-2026 tags: [ukraine-war, russia, military-analysis, vladimir-zevensky, drone-warfare, energy-infrastructure] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Operation 'Sky': How Ukraine Moved the War Deep into Russia in 2026 ![A Ukrainian soldier carries a kamikaze drone in the forest, symbolizing the 'Sky' strategy and the shift of combat operations deep into Russia in 2026.](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/11/strategiya-nebo-ukraina-udarit-po-rossii-2026/strategiya-nebo-ukraina-udarit-po-rossii-2026-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - The number of long-range Ukrainian attacks on Russia tripled in 2026. - Kyiv is attacking oil infrastructure, defense plants, and Wildberries warehouses. - Independent AP analysis does not confirm all claims regarding damage to intelligence facilities. - Ukraine doubled weapons production after realizing the risks of US aid cessation. - Zelenskyy claimed to have seized the initiative from Russia by moving the war to the sky. An Associated Press analysis conducted in August 2026 demonstrates a fundamental shift in Ukrainian resistance tactics. Over the current year, the number of long-range attacks on Russian territory has tripled compared to January figures. Russian forces are forced to stretch their air defense systems over a significantly larger area, creating critical gaps in the protection of key assets. According to analysts, Kyiv has shifted from pinpoint strikes to systemic pressure covering the entire depth of Russian territory. ### Four Vectors of Strategic Pressure AP analysts, having studied hundreds of strikes and statements from both sides, identified four clear categories of targets for the Ukrainian campaign. The first, and most painful for the Russian economy, is the oil infrastructure. Strikes on refineries are intended to deprive the Kremlin of export revenues and create a fuel shortage within the country. The second target is defense plants; their destruction undermines Russia's long-term ability to produce weaponry. The third category includes air defense and radar facilities, attacks on which clear the skies for Ukrainian strikes. Finally, the fourth target is retail warehouses of major chains, intended to make ordinary citizens feel the consequences of the war. ### Economic Blow and Logistical Disruptions In July 2026, Kyiv struck Russia's largest oil refinery, located more than 2,500 km from the border. This event became a turning point, coinciding with a rise in global oil prices amid the conflict surrounding Iran and the easing of the US sanctions regime. Additionally, warehouses of the Wildberries marketplace were hit. Kyiv claims the company participates in military supplies, which Moscow categorically denies. Attacks on plants producing navigation systems are also being recorded, specifically using the domestic 'Flamingo' missile. ### Technological Leap and 'Wake-up Calls' According to an anonymous European military official, a meeting in the Oval Office served as a 'real wake-up call' for Kyiv, showing that US support could cease at any moment. This realization forced Ukraine to double its domestic weapons production, reducing the development cycle from decades to months. Despite successes, Ukrainian missiles like the 'Flamingo' still lag behind Western counterparts in accuracy and stealth. Experts estimate that only 5-9% of fired weapons penetrate the enemy's dense defense, forcing Kyiv to launch hundreds of drones to overload air defense systems. ### Contradictory Data There is a significant gap between Ukrainian claims and independent verification. In May and June, Ukraine reported successful strikes on several satellite and intelligence centers, as well as electronic warfare facilities. However, an analysis of satellite imagery by the Associated Press revealed no serious physical damage at these sites. On the other hand, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces Robert 'Madyar' Brovdi confirmed that attacks on Crimea pursue the strategic goal of making the peninsula unsuitable as a staging ground, which is supported by drone activity in the region. ### New Reality: Initiative Shifts to Kyiv Despite Russia continuing to increase the power of its weaponry, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated at a NATO summit that Putin is 'losing the initiative'. According to the Ukrainian leader, Kyiv has successfully moved combat operations from the stalled ground front to the airspace. On August 10, Zelenskyy announced new personnel decisions and confirmed the approval of new strikes on targets within Russia, adjusting some existing operations. This indicates that the strategy of long-range attacks will only intensify. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: How much did the number of Ukrainian strikes on Russia grow in 2026? **A:** According to Associated Press data, the number of long-range attacks tripled compared to January 2026. ### Q: Which objects are prioritized for Ukrainian strikes? **A:** Priority targets include oil infrastructure, defense plants, air defense facilities, and retail warehouses (specifically Wildberries). ### Q: Were all Ukrainian claims about strikes on intelligence confirmed? **A:** No, AP analysis of satellite imagery showed no serious damage to some objects where Ukraine claimed strikes in May and June.