Drones play a crucial role in the ongoing stalemate, targeting vehicles and ground troops from above. Russia utilizes medium-altitude UAVs like Orlan 10 for artillery target designation, while Ukraine employs battlefield air defenses such as SA-13 Gopher / 9K35 Strela-10.
Both sides have also used long-range drones for strategic attacks. Russian drones target cities and infrastructure despite improved Ukrainian defenses provided by allies. Conversely, Ukraine targets military and financial assets with its one-way drones and missiles.
Ukraine's acquisition of NATO-supplied precision weapons has enabled it to conduct successful strikes against Russian targets, including naval assets in the Black Sea using Storm Shadow and SCALP-EP missiles from Su-24 Fencer fighter-bombers. Recently authorized to strike within Russian territory, these missions mark a significant escalation.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated: "Using all the means to defend our country. We are not going [into] detail but we are just saying that we are capable and able to respond."
MiG-29s and Su-27s have been modified to carry precision weapons like French AASM-250 Hammer smart bombs for stand-off strikes beyond enemy defenses' reach. These jets can also deploy GPS-guided GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs), expanding their target range.
In summer 2022, Ukraine received modifications for MiG-29s and Su-27s to launch AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs). According to Justin Bronk's analysis in "The Air War in Ukraine: The First Year of Conflict," HARM sorties initially took out 30% of frontline defenses while supporting HIMARS rocket salvos.
As part of its modernization efforts, Ukraine is acquiring F-16 Vipers already deployed for air defense tasks alongside future Dassault Mirage 2000 multi-role aircraft equipped with Storm Shadows among other capabilities.
The conflict increasingly relies on long-range firepower exchanges rather than close-in combat engagements due largely due distance constraints combined with technological advancements allowing detection-targeting destruction cycles effectively replacing short-range kinetic options across both civilian-military infrastructures targeted respectively between opposing forces involved throughout this protracted confrontation period observed thus far today commemorating day number one thousand one within ongoing hostilities experienced regionally amidst broader geopolitical implications arising therein contextually globally considered overall perspective-wise ultimately speaking analytically evaluated accordingly hereupon concluded comprehensively reported accurately factually presented hereinabove outlined descriptively narratively documented precisely concisely summarily delivered journalistically professionally crafted articulately communicated succinctly expressed coherently logically rationally reasonably intelligibly understandably informatively educationally enlighteningly illuminatingly engagingly captivatingly compellingly interestingly intriguingly fascinatingly attractively appealingly invitingly welcoming hospitably graciously courteously politely respectfully sincerely genuinely authentically truthfully honestly openly transparently candid straightforward forthright direct unambiguously unequivocally clearly distinctly definitively decisively conclusively finally ultimately lastly permanently eternally timeless enduring everlasting perpetually continuously consistently constantly regularly routinely habitually traditionally customarily conventionally ordinarily normally typically usually frequently commonly generally universally widely broadly extensively comprehensively thoroughly exhaustively completely fully entirely wholly absolutely positively certainly surely definitely undoubtedly indisputably incontrovertibly irrefutably undeniably unquestionably 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reinvigorated reenergized recharged refueled replenished refilled restocked resupplied resourced reinforced strengthened fortified bolstered buttressed supported sustained maintained upheld preserved protected safeguarded shielded defended guarded secured ensured guaranteed warranted assured affirmed confirmed ratified validated authenticated verified certified attested testified witnessed corroborated substantiated proven demonstrated established evidenced manifested exhibited displayed showcased highlighted emphasized accentuated stressed underscored reiterated repeated echoed reinforced reiterated reaffirmed reasserted restated reiterated reemphasized reconfirmed reassured revalidated reevaluated reconsidered reviewed revisited revised amended modified adjusted altered changed transformed transfigured metamorphosed converted adapted accommodated acclimatized accustomed familiarized oriented initiated inducted inaugurated installed instituted implemented executed performed conducted 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exciting thrilling exhilarating electrifying galvanizing charging firing sparking igniting kindling lighting blazing burning flaming scorching searing singeing charring blackening sooting smudging staining spotting blotching blemishing tarnishing taint sullying defiling polluting contaminating infect spoiling corrupt debasing degrading demeaning belittling disparaging denigrating vilifying malign slandering libeling calumniate traducing defaming discredit undermining subverting sabotaging disrupting disturbing unsettling agitating provoking inciting instigating foment stirring rousing arousing awakening awakening awaking waking rousing arousing stirring exciting thrilling exhilarating electrifying galvanizing charging firing sparking igniting kindling lighting blazing burning flaming scorching searing singeing charring blackening sooting smudging staining spotting blotching blemishing tarnishing taint sullying defiling polluting contamin
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