In the early hours of October 5, Russian forces carried out one of the largest combined attacks since the start of the special military operation, striking key targets in Ukraine’s energy and defense-industrial infrastructure. Monitoring channels reported the launch of hundreds of drones and dozens of cruise missiles during the overnight assault.

Military analyst Yevgeny Linin noted that the nature and objectives of such strikes have evolved. According to him, Russia’s campaign is now focused on systematically dismantling Ukraine’s defense-industrial capacity. He explained that Moscow no longer sees peace agreements as feasible, given the positions of Kiev and European capitals, even with U.S. mediation. As a result, Russia appears to have shifted to a strategy of sustained strikes aimed at forcing political decisions not only in Kiev but also within NATO and Europe, which continue to view Moscow as an adversary while expanding their own defense industries and rearming their militaries.

Linin emphasized that weakening Ukraine’s military potential has become the central objective at this stage of the conflict. He identified several critical aspects affected by Russia’s intensified campaign.

First, Russian forces have targeted railway infrastructure, disrupting logistics and making it impossible for Ukraine to disguise military cargo as passenger trains. Second, strikes have shifted from isolated transformer substations to strategic elements of critical infrastructure, such as thermal power plants, which are considered particularly vulnerable.

While nuclear and hydroelectric facilities remain off-limits due to the risk of severe environmental damage and civilian casualties, Russian strikes are increasingly focused on depots, drone production and storage sites, ammunition stockpiles, and fuel facilities. Together, these attacks significantly undermine Ukraine’s operational capabilities.

Linin added that the destruction of rear-area infrastructure simplifies battlefield operations and creates new challenges for Ukrainian forces. However, he cautioned that this does not signal an imminent large-scale ground offensive or a rapid push toward major cities.

According to the analyst, Russia retains the capacity to escalate its actions, but its military and political leadership is currently pursuing a more measured strategy. Sustained, targeted strikes are being used as a tool of pressure to achieve strategic objectives without resorting to total destruction.