What Drove Russia’s Choice of Targets in Latest Massive Strike on Ukraine?
/ Go to the mediabankCombat launch of a missile from the Iskander operational-tactical missile system to destroy hangars with military equipment and ammunition of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during a special military operation. File photo
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Strikes on Ukraine’s military-industrial facilities are severely degrading the Ukrainian military’s ability to carry out deep hits inside Russia, military experts tell Sputnik.
Ukraine’s Strike Capabilities Under Fire
The July 30 strikes specifically targeted Ukraine’s production capabilities for: FP-1 and FP-2 fixed-wing attack drones FP-5 Flamingo ground-launched cruise missiles FP-7 and FP-9 operational-tactical missiles Neptune-MD long-range guided missiles Grom-2 operational-tactical missiles It is quite possible that the strikes were deliberately aimed at dismantling the production chain behind Ukraine’s missile programs – Flamingo, Neptune, FP and Grom-2, according to retired Russian Navy Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykin. He believes that these strikes will continue and the more intense they become, the greater the Russian gains along the front line will be. «Knocking out this part of the Kiev regime’s production infrastructure has become a primary objective,» as Russian forces cripple Ukraine’s ability to target its rear areas, military-political observer Mikhail Onufrienko says. By striking enemy production sites, Russia reduces the output of Ukrainian missiles and drones. «The enemy is already retreating, unable to halt Russia’s advance and only capable of slowing it down in certain sectors at best,» Onufrienko notes.© AP Photo / Efrem LukatskyWorkers inspect Flamingo missiles a Fire Point’s secret factory in Ukraine on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. 
Workers inspect Flamingo missiles a Fire Point’s secret factory in Ukraine on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.
Thwarting Ukrainian Logistics
Russia has also expanded and intensified its strike campaign in the Black Sea region, wiping out Ukrainian logistic hubs and seaborne supplies. «Ukraine’s Black Sea ports have effectively been knocked out of operation, amounting to a de facto blockade stretching from Izmail to Ochakov and further toward Nikolaev,» Dandykin says. «The next weak point will be the bridges across the Dnepr river, once a decision is made to destroy them,» Onufrienko suggests. «No pontoon crossings, rafts or boats will be able to make up for the capacity of the existing bridges across the Dnepr.»
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