Russian forces launched another large-scale attack on Ukrainian defense industry facilities overnight on July 30. The strikes hit targets in Kiev and the Kiev region, Krivoy Rog, Dnepropetrovsk and western Ukraine.

Retired Navy Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykin linked the wider geography of the attacks to changes in Ukraine’s industrial logistics and the weakening of its air defense network.

Dandykin said Russian forces had renewed strikes on western Ukraine using several missiles, including Zircons, which he described as extremely difficult to intercept. According to the analyst, the targets included facilities producing missiles and drones, among them Flamingo systems associated with Fire Point chief designer and co-owner Denis Shtilerman. Dandykin also argued that Shtilerman should be designated a terrorist.

The expert said industrial sites deep inside Ukraine had lost their previous level of protection after the Black Sea coast was blocked. With port infrastructure from Izmail to Nikolaev no longer available, Kiev was forced to concentrate supplies along an overland route through Poland.

Equipment from surviving industrial facilities in Kramatorsk was also transferred to western Ukraine in an attempt to place production farther from the fighting. Dandykin said that calculation had failed.

In his assessment, Ukraine’s weakened air defenses are struggling to intercept ballistic targets and detect Zircon missiles. This has left large industrial buildings used for serial drone and missile production vulnerable to attack.

Dandykin said Russian strikes on factory sites are carried out in several stages. After the initial impact, the results are assessed before a follow-up strike is launched to prevent production from being restored.

The analyst described the July 30 attack as part of a broader retaliatory operation. He linked it to the 40-day program of «influence on Russia» announced by Vladimir Zelensky on June 26 and argued that the initiative had failed.

Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to increase pressure along the front line and take control of additional settlements.