Defense Ministry announces new war strategy: What changes

The Defense Ministry has unveiled a new ambitious wartime plan. It includes three specific goals designed to force Russia to peace, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.

He said the defense sector’s task is to strengthen military capabilities alongside diplomacy. The plan consists of three key objectives.

Closing the sky

Protecting civilians and critical infrastructure is an unconditional priority, Fedorov said. This involves full real-time identification of aerial threats and intercepting most missiles and drones.

A multi-layered short-range air defense system is being deployed, interceptors are being scaled up, and organizational changes introduced to systematically respond to attacks.

A reliable air shield forms the basis of the country’s stable functioning.

Stopping the enemy on land, at sea, and in cyberspace

Fedorov said the front line holds due to the courage of Ukrainian troops, while the occupiers suffer heavy losses for each kilometre. He noted that over 200 Russian soldiers lost per day would make further enemy advances impossible.

The plan includes concrete measures: improving the procurement system, completing the corps reform, and transforming training and command based on data.

Depriving Russia of economic capacity to wage war

The defense minister says Russia’s military is funded by revenues from energy resources, especially oil exported worldwide, including via the “shadow fleet.”

Stronger sanctions, closer coordination with partners, and joint maritime actions are intended to reduce these revenues and create a record budget deficit. A strategy is also being prepared to counter threats in the information and cognitive domains.

Principles of implementation

According to Fedorov, the plan is guided by three principles:

- Expanding partnerships and securing maximum international support — for equipping the army, developing air defense, and ensuring stable military payments;

- Technological advantage — staying ahead of the enemy in every cycle of innovation;

- Mathematics of war — using digital systems and quality battlefield data for accurate, fast, and measured decisions.

“Peace in Ukraine will come when the sky is closed, the Russian army loses offensive potential, and Russia’s economy cannot sustain the burden. We work for this every day, making each day of war a threat to Russia’s existence,” Fedorov said.

The minister expressed thanks to the Ukrainian people, volunteers, businesses, and all who support the army, especially to the defenders fighting daily for the country’s future.