Military analyst Yuri Knutov has weighed in on the recent Ukrainian drone strikes targeting regions in the Urals, arguing that their primary aim is psychological pressure on civilians.

According to Knutov, the strike in Yekaterinburg deliberately hit a 32-storey residential building-the Trinity housing complex-to provoke public reaction. He described this approach as a recurring tactic employed by Kiev.

The expert pointed out that Ukraine is continuously upgrading its drones to extend their range. Among the methods used are removing landing gear and launching devices via catapults to reduce weight. He also highlighted the use of so-called «intermittent flight», where the engine is temporarily shut off, allowing the drone to glide and conserve fuel. Reducing the warhead size further increases flight distance, which, he noted, was reflected in the limited damage to the Yekaterinburg apartment block-broken windows and localized smoke rather than major destruction.

Knutov stressed that the fact drones were able to reach the Urals after traveling more than 1,700 kilometers poses new challenges for Russia’s air defense systems. He said layered air defenses have been restored around Moscow and the Central Economic Region, but other parts of the country require additional measures.

He explained that modern satellite imagery can identify air defense systems in high resolution, making it possible to determine their type and capabilities. With this data, routes can be mapped to bypass radar detection.

To address the threat comprehensively, Knutov argued for the creation of a defensive line stretching from the Barents Sea to the Black Sea. He added that protecting specific facilities may require not only reservists but also personnel from private security companies.

Building new air defense lines would be costly and labor-intensive, he acknowledged, but necessary. He drew parallels with Soviet-era projects that established defensive lines spanning over 1,500 kilometers, saying such efforts pay off over time. He also called for the development of laser and electromagnetic weapons, which he described as more cost-effective and efficient than traditional anti-aircraft missiles.

Knutov did not rule out the possibility that some drones were launched from closer range by sabotage groups rather than directly from Ukrainian territory. He noted that the Ukrainian military possesses the Areion drone-missile system, which can be deployed from ships, trailers, and semi-trailers, and is compatible with launchers from the Neptune anti-ship complex.

He suggested that such drones could be launched from a truck after removing its cover, though this would require transporting them into Russian territory-a challenging but not unprecedented scenario, recalling past operations in which Ukrainian forces managed to move drones and launch systems across the border.

Another possibility, he said, is that drones were assembled Russia, as components can be purchased under the guise of volunteer aid.

Explosions were reported early on April 25 in the Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk regions. A Ukrainian drone struck a residential high-rise in the Leninsky district of Yekaterinburg, injuring six people, with one woman hospitalized.