Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
With the current capabilities, Ukraine is able to hit targets up to 1750 kilometres into Russian territory.
17,098,246 km², or 6,601,670 sq miles. That is the total territory of Russia, making it by far the largest country in the world.
To put it into perspective, Russia is nearly twice as large as the second-largest country in the world, Canada, and according to the BBC, Russia accounts for around 11% of Earth’s total landmass.
That makes it very difficult for opponents to hit targets in Russia, as its vast territory allows the Russian leadership to place key assets out of harm’s reach.
But as the war in Ukraine drags on, Putin will have to move his assets deeper into Russian territory to keep them safe from Ukrainian strikes.
Stretching the map
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has reported a massive leap in the reach of its operations. Since the invasion began, its forces have expanded targeting ranges by more than 150%.
Hitting a target 630 kilometers away was considered a major milestone in 2022. Early strikes on strategic bases exposed significant gaps in enemy air defenses.
Now, current capabilities allow forces to hit strategic locations up to 1,750 kilometers away from the border.
Refining the targets
This expansion did not happen overnight. Throughout 2024, the strategy shifted toward systematically targeting vital infrastructure deep within enemy territory.
Drone production facilities and major oil refineries became focal points for these extended operations. Striking these hubs was designed to apply sustained pressure.
By 2026, operations orchestrated by the Security Service and other defense branches were hitting facilities as far away as the Komi Republic.
Recent months have seen coordinated attacks on numerous refineries and plants stretching from occupied regions to far northern areas.
Far from the longest reach ever
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine executed Operation Spiderweb, in which drones were smuggled deep into Russian territory. Once deployed, they targeted a number of high-value assets, striking five Russian air force bases.
In particular, the strike on Belaya Air Base in eastern Siberia—where damage was confirmed 4,300 km (2,700 miles) from Ukraine—was highlighted as proof of Ukraine’s ability to strike deep inside Russian territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later explained that the operation took more than 18 months to plan and prepare, making it difficult for Ukraine to conduct similar operations frequently.
However, with an expanded range for deep strikes from Ukrainian territory, already strained Russian logistics will come under increasing pressure, potentially causing supply issues for Russian troops in Ukraine.
Looking straight ahead
According to the Ministry of Defence, Zelenskyy stated: “Certainly, we target what hurts Russia. And it is indeed painful. We see the outcomes. Today, their losses are measured in tens of billions. These are critical losses for Russia.”
Defense officials point out that lasting peace requires neutralizing the opponent’s offensive capabilities entirely.
Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov outlined the government’s daily focus on these objectives in a Ministry of Defence release.
Fedorov stated: “We are working every day to make this happen. To ensure that each day of the war becomes a threat to Russia’s existence.
Sources: The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, Reuters, Euronews, BBC
