Ukrainian defense strategy: destroying Russian missile launchers

Since the beginning of 2026, Ukraine has been facing a growing problem - there is a lack of missiles for the Patriot systems, the only ones capable of effectively shooting down Russian ballistic missiles, such as the Iskander-M or the North Korean KN-23. The situation is complicated by the fact that Russia has increased the production of its own missiles to approximately 1,300 per year, while global stocks of Patriot missiles are running out.

In this situation, the Ukrainian army decided to change its strategy. Instead of focusing on air defense, it is increasingly attempting to destroy Russian missile launchers on Russian territory, especially in the Kursk and Bryansk oblasts - regions bordering Ukraine, from where attacks on Kiev and the central parts of the country are carried out.

First successes and huge challenges

A breakthrough operation took place on August 22, when President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the Russian attack had been thwarted and the Iskander launcher in the border region had been damaged. Data from early warning radars provided to Ukraine by NATO partners are crucial in such actions. Thanks to them, it is possible to detect the position of Russian launchers immediately after launching the missiles.

However, experts emphasize that conducting such operations is a huge challenge. Iskander crews are extremely careful, they try not to be detected by satellites and often change positions.

Catching Iskander in motion, at the moment and in the place where it sets up to fire, is extremely difficult, emphasizes Serhiy Beskrestnov, presidential adviser on military innovations.

Technological limitations and the role of the West

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov argues that the most effective response to Russian missile terror will be the implementation of Ukraine's own ballistic missiles, the first tests of which have already taken place.

There is no doubt that the United States will play a key role in further actions - both in terms of transferring intelligence data and potentially unblocking Starlink for Ukrainian operations on Russian territory, which the company's owner, Elon Musk, has not agreed to so far.

Despite numerous restrictions, Ukrainian actions force Russians to be more careful.