Ukraine widens its targets - and its tolerance for civilian casualties

Key Points:

• Since July, Ukraine has expanded its long-range drone attacks into Russian territory, targeting primarily economic infrastructure such as oil and gas facilities and warehouses like Wildberries, aiming to disrupt Russia's war logistics and bring the conflict closer to Russian civilians.
• Ukrainian officials, including President Zelenskyy and lawmakers, justify these strikes as necessary to weaken Russia’s military supply chains, acknowledging increased Russian civilian casualties as collateral damage rather than deliberate targets.
• Russian authorities report a significant rise in civilian casualties from Ukrainian attacks, with 79 deaths and over 600 injuries reported in July alone, marking a sharp increase compared to previous years.
• The United Nations and international experts emphasize that while Ukraine does not intentionally target civilians, any civilian casualties violate humanitarian law, and Russia’s systematic attacks on Ukrainian civilians remain a critical concern.
• The shift in Ukrainian tactics has caused unease among some European officials, who worry about potential escalation and loss of Western support, though analysts note Ukraine’s enhanced drone capabilities and reduced U.S. influence have enabled this more aggressive approach.