Military expert Yuri Knutov says Russia may respond to the largest drone attack of the year by stepping up strikes on Ukraine’s military-industrial facilities and on ships in the Odessa area.

In his assessment, the response could be broad and severe, extending beyond defense industry sites to include logistics and energy infrastructure tied to Ukraine’s military production network.

Knutov identified the port of Odessa as one of the key directions for Russian forces. He said the port serves as a route for Western weapons deliveries to the Ukrainian armed forces, including drones.

He also pointed to the actions of NATO countries, mentioning the seizure of tankers allegedly carrying Russian oil. Against that backdrop, he questioned why Russia should remain passive about seaborne weapons shipments from Europe if those supplies are later used against Russian civilians.

At the same time, Knutov stressed that precision remains the central issue for Russian strikes. He said the main objective is to hit as many Ukrainian military-industrial sites linked to drone production as possible.