Ukraine Escalates Strikes on Russian Soil: Oil Refinery and Warehouses Hit, Moscow Responds with 600 Drones.

Long-Range Systems See Increased Deployment

According to Espreso.tv: Serhiy Zghurets, director of the Defense Express think tank, has highlighted a notable rise in the use of long-range strike capabilities by both warring parties. He specifically pointed to Russian attacks carried out on June 2 and June 15, 2023. These offensives involved approximately 600 unmanned aerial vehicles and 70 missiles, of which an estimated 30 to 40 were ballistic. This surge indicates a clear intensification of combat operations from Moscow's side.

In response, Ukrainian forces have also struck military and infrastructure targets inside Russia. On June 16, 2023, they hit several key sites, including:

• The Moscow Oil Refinery
• A Wildberries logistics warehouse
• Command centers and storage depots

Following the attack on the Moscow refinery, its operations were halted. Furthermore, on June 18, 2023, Ukrainian drones targeted the oil refinery in Kapotnya, triggering a massive fire at the facility.

Zghurets noted that 'this dynamic is tied to Russia's military-industrial capabilities, planning tempo, and the number of Russian launch platforms.'

He further emphasized that 'on the Ukrainian side, we are seeing a higher operational tempo than on the Russian side.' According to his assessment, 'the situation is shaping up so that both sides are trying to maximize their potential,' pointing to an escalation of the conflict and an acceleration of combat activity from all parties involved.

This growing intensity and the expanded use of long-range systems signal a tactical shift by both nations. The trend is likely to influence the future course of military operations and strategic decision-making in Kyiv and Moscow. Beyond immediate battlefield effects, these strikes are also impacting regional economies and critical infrastructure directly tied to the conflict.