For centuries, Russia’s colossal size has been widely regarded as the country’s greatest asset. From Charles XII of Sweden to Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolf Hitler, a long line of would-be conquerors have invaded Russia only for their armies to swallowed up by the vastness of the country. Ukraine is now attempting to turn this military logic on its head with a strategic bombing campaign that aims to exploit Russia’s immensity and transform it from a key strength into a fatal weakness.
Kyiv’s current deep strike strategy reflects the changing technological possibilities of modern warfare. Russia’s sheer size once made it virtually impossible to conquer, but in an era where long-range precision weapons are increasingly accessible, the Putin regime is now discovering that this same attribute makes the country extremely difficult to defend.
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Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian policymakers have recognized the importance of bringing the war home to Russia. At the same time, they have been under no illusions regarding the deep reluctance of Ukraine’s allies to authorize strikes against targets inside the Russian Federation using Western weapons. This has left Kyiv with little choice but to prioritize the development of domestically produced long-range drones and missiles capable of penetrating deep into Russia.
