"We're opening up Russia's air defense system like a can": How Ukraine is disrupting missile production and thwarting the Kremlin's plans

Ukraine has found a way to weaken the Russian military-industrial complex even before enemy missiles reach the battlefield. Strikes on factories that produce critical components for Russian weapons can disrupt the enemy’s supply chains, while unconventional operations on the front lines can derail the Russian command’s plans.

In an exclusive interview with 24 Channel, Serhiy Bratchuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, explained how Ukrainian drones reach key facilities of the Russian military-industrial complex, why Russian air defense is failing to protect industrial facilities, and how the Defense Forces’ operations on the front lines are disrupting the occupiers’ offensive plans.

A Strike at the “Brain” of Russian Missiles

The Russian defense industry has a significant geographical vulnerability. Most of the facilities that supply the Russian army were built during the Soviet era and are concentrated in the European part of the country. This creates a wide field of opportunity for Ukrainian strike drones.

During recent attacks in Voronezh, an aircraft factory that assembles long-range aircraft and their components was struck, as well as the petrochemical giant "Voronezhsintezkauchuk". These facilities are critical to sustaining the Russian war machine.

An attack on the "Energia" plant in the city of Yelets, Lipetsk Oblast deserves special attention. This enterprise is unique because it is the sole manufacturer of batteries for air bomb guidance and correction modules (KABs), as well as for the “Iskander-M” operational-tactical systems and sea-based cruise missiles.

The destruction or damage of such precision targets directly affects Russia’s ability to manufacture high-precision weapons.

Bratchuk emphasizes that Ukrainian analysts and military planners meticulously chart drone routes, selecting targets that represent “bottlenecks” in Russia’s production chain. Without microelectronics and specialized batteries, ballistic missile production grinds to a halt, which automatically lengthens the intervals between attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Interview with Serhiy Bratchuk: watch the video

The Failure of Russian Air Defense and the New Realities of War

These strikes have not only military but also geopolitical significance. At a time when Western partners are delaying the delivery of ammunition for air defense systems – particularly the Patriot system – Ukraine is demonstrating its ability to independently address the threat of Russian terror.

Instead of shooting down missiles over their own cities, the Defense Forces are destroying them at the production stage. This is a clear signal to allies: if there are no means to defend the skies, Ukraine will find operational and strategic tools to disrupt the balance of ballistic missile production in Russia.

The reaction of the Russian authorities and the local population to the attacks vividly illustrates the deterioration of Russia’s air defense system. The occupiers’ electronic warfare systems and anti-aircraft complexes often operate ineffectively, causing damage to their own residential areas.

The Ukrainian military has found the “key” to Russia’s air defense, opening it up, in Bratchuk’s words, “like a tin can.” At the same time, the Kremlin continues to concentrate its best defense systems around Putin’s residences in Valdai, leaving industrial provinces defenseless.

From Underground Warfare to Thwarting Plans in Donbas

The technological superiority and creativity of the Defense Forces are evident not only in the air but also on the ground. Operations such as “Vivaldi” and "Veles", in which Ukrainian troops use underground tunnels to launch surprise strikes against the enemy, are disrupting the Russian command’s plans.

Thanks to such unconventional actions – particularly in the Huliaipole sector and by units of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade – the Russians’ plans for a rapid capture of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk were thwarted.

Russia has effectively failed in its strategic offensive operation, which has been ongoing since last October. Despite record losses and attempts to amass equipment, the enemy has not achieved its stated objectives.

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, particularly near Orikhiv and Mala Tokmachka, Russian troops have been unable to break through even the first line of defense. This is forcing them to shift their focus and waste airstrikes on secondary targets.

Fighting in the Zaporizhzhia sector: view on the map

Ukrainian forces, using maneuver-based defense and logistical strikes, are successfully wearing down the occupiers’ offensive capabilities. A comprehensive approach – ranging from the destruction of factories deep in the rear to innovative tactics on the front lines – remains Ukraine’s main trump card in this grueling war.