The war in Ukraine may be entering a new phase of aggression, marked by recent deadly strikes on factories and infrastructure in Ukraine and attacks on Russian oil refineries and facilities. The development comes over a year into the conflict.
On a recent night, 21 people were killed in Kyiv after Moscow launched 115 drones and 24 ballistic missiles. Ukrainian air defenses, described as depleted, managed to shoot down most of the drones but failed to intercept any of the ballistic missiles. In response to these attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed for additional ballistic missile interceptors.
Simultaneously, Ukraine has targeted oil refineries and factories within Russia. Last month, an attack on Wildberries, identified as Russia's largest online retailer, resulted in an estimated 750 million pounds sterling worth of goods being destroyed. These actions suggest a potential escalation and broadening of targets in the ongoing conflict.