Kathrine Frich
Ukraine is rushing to build stronger defenses against this threat.
Wars change shape over time. When an army gets stuck in the mud, its leaders often look to the sky for a new path to victory.
That seems to be the current plan taking shape in Moscow.
A new deadline
Russian leader Vladimir Putin wants to force Ukraine to surrender by the spring of 2027. He plans to launch massive air strikes across the country to achieve this goal.
This strategy shift was outlined in a recent report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Analysts noted that Russian troops are barely moving forward on the ground. At the same time, Ukrainian forces continue to push back with counterattacks.
Testing the theory
A prominent military blogger in Russia claimed that Moscow could keep up the aerial assault forever.
Researchers at the ISW believe Putin is trying a new method to win. His previous plan relied on a never ending ground offensive, but that approach is failing.
Now, he hopes a relentless bombing campaign will break the nation.
“Putin may not be taking into account the long-term consequences of the Russian strike campaign if he expects Ukraine to collapse and capitulate this winter. It is unlikely that Putin will compromise on his demands or enter into serious negotiations on a ceasefire until his new theory is tested,” the ISW concludes.
Destruction from above
The Kremlin expects Ukraine to run out of air defense missiles during the upcoming winter. They assume the national energy grid and critical infrastructure will completely collapse.
The devastating reality of these attacks is already visible. A Russian strike recently hit the Dobrobut Academy in central Kyiv.
Drones set a medical center on fire and damaged the National Academy of Sciences building. One woman died and 19 people were hurt.
Meanwhile, another attack hit a railway facility in Zaporizhzhia, leaving over a dozen workers injured, U24 Media reported.
Building a shield
Ukraine is rushing to build stronger defenses against this threat.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a partnership with European allies to build a joint anti-ballistic missile system called Freyja.
He expects the new defense platform to be ready within 12 months.
Zelenskyy warned that the danger is increasing as Russia deepens its military ties with Iran and North Korea. He stated that Moscow is betting everything on ballistic missiles to break the country.
