What happened
Russia has introduced a new tactic in its campaign against Ukraine, attempting to break the country's infrastructure and population's psychological resilience through extensive long-range strikes, according to Col. Ants Kiviselg, head of the Estonian Defense Forces Intelligence Center.
The strikes have targeted Ukraine's railways and bridges over the Dnipro River, with Russia repeatedly attacking the bridges in an attempt to intimidate civilians and hinder everyday life. Ukraine has responded by setting up air defenses and seeking alternative solutions, such as installing pontoon bridges.
The conflict has resulted in significant damage to Ukraine's educational institutions, with around 330 institutions damaged in airstrikes, and its rail transport system, with over 500 locomotives damaged during the war. Ukraine has also carried out medium- and long-range strikes against Russian fuel-industry facilities, which has led to a decrease in Russia's fuel exports.
According to Kiviselg, Russia's losses have remained high, with an average of around 1,700 soldiers per day, and the country has not made significant progress in achieving its goal of occupying the entire Donetsk oblast. Ukraine, on the other hand, has liberated between 25 to 80 square kilometers of territory between 1 and 30 September.
