Russia shifts air strike priorities: New targets and strategy behind them

The Russian terrorist army has shifted its focus from energy infrastructure to Ukraine’s railway network in a deliberate bid to cripple the country’s export potential.

Ivan Us, Chief Consultant at the Center for Foreign Policy Research of the National Institute for Strategic Studies, outlined this strategic pivot in a commentary for UNIAN.
The expert explained that during the summer months, the tactical value of targeting the energy grid drops alongside lower electricity consumption.

«Russia has redirected its strikes toward railway infrastructure because it forms the backbone of Ukraine’s logistics and transit,» he said.

Ivan Us says that the lion’s share of Ukrainian exports relies heavily on rail transport to reach EU land borders, the Greater Odesa ports, and the Danube River ports.
According to him, grain and sunflower oil—two of Ukraine’s most critical export commodities—are the most dependent on rail logistics. Because these exports generate vital revenues for the country, Russia has intensified its pressure on Ukrainian supply chains.

«When Russia sees Ukraine leading the global market in sunflower oil, it is driven by a strong desire to cut off that capability. Ukraine pulls in roughly 3 billion dollars annually from sunflower oil exports alone,» the expert said.
Beyond agricultural goods, railways move metals and ore, which serve as another crucial pillar of the Ukrainian economy.

However, the relentless targeting of the rail network serves a dual purpose, extending beyond economic warfare to inflict psychological terror on the civilian population.
The expert stressed that passenger transport is also in the crosshairs. Russian forces are targeting even suburban commuter trains, signaling a clear intent to disrupt and destabilize daily life across Ukraine.