The Russian long-range aviation fleet of heavy bombers has not used cruise missiles to strike Ukraine for more than a month, as reported by the UK Ministry of Defense.
This marks the longest pause since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to intelligence sources, while Russia still has other strike capabilities, long-range aviation was the primary method for precision strikes. Russia likely needed to reduce the frequency of these strikes to replenish its supply of Kh-101/Kh-102 cruise missiles.
"Russia will likely use any recently produced inventory LRA munitions to strike Ukrainian energy infrastructure over the winter. Russia will highly likely continue to supplement any such campaign with Iranian-designed one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicle attacks," stated the intelligence report