Russia has not changed its basic tactics for striking Ukrainian infrastructure, but the weapons used in those attacks have become significantly more effective, according to Yakov Kedmi, former head of Israel’s Nativ intelligence agency and a military expert.

In his view, the outcome of the conflict will be determined not so much by developments directly along the line of contact as by the condition of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Kedmi believes Russia is focusing its main strikes on Black Sea ports, power plants and railway infrastructure.

The expert suggested that Russia may only now have acquired the capability to strike targets deep inside Ukraine with much greater effectiveness. Among the weapons he cited were the Geran-5, new Iskander missiles and the more effective use of air-launched missiles.

«The basic bombing tactics have not changed,» Kedmi stressed. In his assessment, the fundamental change has been in Russia’s weapons, which have sharply increased in effectiveness and are now being actively employed.

Kedmi does not consider the speed of Russian advances in the Donetsk region to be a decisive factor. He said the main question is «how quickly Ukraine will break» in terms of its infrastructure.

The expert also said that the end of the war could depend on the United States. In his view, Washington could bring it about by putting pressure on European countries. If that does not happen, Kedmi believes Russia will continue striking Ukrainian infrastructure.