In the early hours of August 3, 2025, Ukraine launched a new wave of attacks on military and energy targets within Russian territory, escalating the regional conflict. According to German outlet DW, the operations involved long-range drones aimed at a military airfield in Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Krasnodar) and a defense company in Penza, both considered key to Russia’s war effort.
In Sochi, a massive fire broke out at a fuel depot after debris from a downed drone struck the facility. More than 120 firefighters were deployed to contain the blaze, and the local airport temporarily suspended operations as a safety measure.
Russia, for its part, claimed to have intercepted 93 Ukrainian drones over various regions including Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Novgorod, Crimea, and the Black Sea.
Ukraine had previously announced successful strikes on energy and military installations in other parts of Russia, including fires at refineries and ammunition depots, as part of a campaign known as “Operation Spiderweb”, which involves deep attacks using FPV drones.
Moscow has accused Kyiv of violating a U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement that suspended strikes on energy infrastructure, allegations Ukraine denies, stating that Russia had already broken the truce by attacking Ukrainian cities.
Ukrainian officials defend the air raids as legitimate responses to Russia’s near-daily bombings of civilian areas, including a recent attack in Kyiv that left 31 people dead, among them five children.
What is the real objective behind Ukraine’s strikes inside Russia?
Ukraine aims to weaken Russia’s military and energy infrastructure as a strategic pressure tactic. By targeting refineries, airfields, and logistical depots, Ukraine seeks to disrupt supplies of fuel, drones, and ammunition used by the Kremlin. Additionally, these strikes are intended to exert political pressure on Moscow toward peace negotiations. Though some operations result in civilian impact within Russia, Kyiv insists its targets are strictly military and critical infrastructure.
