President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced via his official Telegram channel that Russian military command is shifting air defense systems away from its own regions to protect Moscow and the Kerch Bridge. This decision, uncovered by Ukrainian intelligence, comes as a direct response to the impact of Ukraine’s long-range strikes on critical Russian infrastructure.
According to the report from the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), Oleh Ivashchenko, the Kremlin is prioritizing the defense of the capital and the key logistics node in occupied Crimea. By moving assets to these two ‘perimeter’ zones, Russia is leaving other areas of its territory significantly more vulnerable. This strategic thinning out suggests that Russia’s defensive capabilities are under extreme pressure, struggling to contain the persistent threat posed by Ukrainian long-range capabilities.
This shift in strategy follows high-profile successes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Recent precision strikes, such as the attack on the gas processing complex in the Orenburg region, have forced the Russian leadership to react to the reality that there are no longer any ‘safe’ zones for its strategic assets. The loss of infrastructure has exposed the limitations of the Russian anti-aircraft umbrella, and the decision to redeploy defenses is an admission that the current system is insufficient to cover the entire country.
President Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is closely monitoring these movements. The state also continues to track Russian rocket production and the status of its strategic bomber fleet. The message remains clear: as long as the Kremlin refuses diplomatic solutions and insists on prolonging the war, Ukraine will continue its legitimate, asymmetric responses. The current vulnerability of the Russian rear is a direct consequence of this refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations. As the war of attrition intensifies, the Russian military’s attempt to juggle its limited resources between protecting its heartland and sustaining the occupation of Ukrainian territories highlights the unsustainable nature of their current war efforts.