**Ukraine Strikes at Russia‘s Air Defenses, Blowing Up Missiles on the Ground**
The war between Ukraine and Russia has taken a new turn as Ukrainian forces have been targeting Russian air defenses by blowing up missiles before they can be launched. This strategy is being employed due to a lack of long-range air defenses that can protect Ukraine’s cities from Russian missiles.
In a recent attack, Ukrainian drones flew nearly 240 km into western Russia and hit the Shaykovka air base, which houses some of the Tupolev Tu-22M bombers used by Russia to lob Kh-22 cruise missiles at Ukrainian cities. The attack was confirmed by satellite imagery from NASA.
**The Strategy Behind Blowing Up Missiles**
By targeting Russian air bases and blowing up missiles on the ground, Ukrainian forces are raising the cost of Russian raids on Ukrainian cities and taking some pressure off their own air-defense batteries. This strategy is also saving lives as every missile destroyed on the ground means one less threat to civilians.
**The Mathematics of Destruction**
Simple mathematics dictate that every missile destroyed on the ground is one less threatening Ukrainian civilians. As air defense ammunition runs low, Ukraine has found its answer in offense – striking at the source rather than waiting for the threat to materialize in their skies.
**Russia’s Losses**
In 39 months since widening its war on Ukraine, Russia has lost around five of the 42-m, four-person Tu-22M bombers. Some have been destroyed by crashes, while others were taken down by Ukrainian drones and missiles.
**Ukraine’s Air Defense Plan**
Repeatedly striking Shaykovka and its missiles, Ukrainian forces are further raising the cost of Russian raids on Ukrainian cities – buying time for the Ukrainian air force to deploy an additional Patriot surface-to-air missile battery it’s getting from Israel. The mathematics are simple: every missile destroyed on the ground is one less threatening Ukrainian civilians.
**Conclusion**
Ukraine’s strategy of targeting Russian air defenses and blowing up missiles on the ground may be a temporary solution, but it’s buying time for Ukraine to prepare its air force and better defend its skies. As the war rages on, one thing remains clear – every missile destroyed is a life saved.
