After a month of tense calm in the skies, Russia has returned to the fight with a vengeance.
On March 21st, 2024, a major long-range bombing campaign sent shivers down spines in Ukraine. Strategic bombers, the colossal Tu-95 "Bear-H" and sleek MiG-31 "Foxhound" fighters, unleashed a barrage of missiles. Kyiv, the city that has been resisting for the past two years, was pounded by Russian warplanes again in one of the biggest attacks during the entire conflict.
British intelligence reported at least ten bombers and twenty missiles were used, including advanced weaponry like AS-23a Kodiak cruise missile and the hypersonic Kinzhal air-launched missile. This arsenal hints at Russia's intent to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences and inflict maximum damage on strategic targets.
Military analysts are now scrambling to understand this sudden shift. However, British intelligence offers a compelling explanation, suggesting that Western sanctions might be crippling Russia's ability to maintain and execute complex air missions. Difficulty acquiring critical aircraft parts could be forcing them towards long-range stand-off strikes. This minimises the risk of Russian jets venturing into Ukrainian airspace, where a deadly gauntlet of air defence systems awaits them.
But these were not just symbolic strikes. The targets chosen hinted at a deeper strategy. Shortly after, on March 22nd, Russia launched another significant attack. This time targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The strike resulted in casualties and widespread power outages.
And they kept pushing, targeting a key military airfield in the Khmelnytskyi region. This facility was rumoured to be slated for deployment of F-16 fighter jets recently pledged by Western allies.
