# Russia’s Air War Aims to Bleed Ukraine Dry

> Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure to cripple economy as winter approaches.
- Title: Russia’s Air War Aims to Bleed Ukraine Dry · Foreign Policy
- Summary: Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure to cripple economy as winter approaches. Russia’s intensified air campaign aims to paralyze Ukraine’s economy and…
- Keywords: russia, ukraine, vladimir putin, air campaign, infrastructure strikes, winter, ballistic missiles, drone strikes, patriot interceptors, freija initiative, eu ukraine plan, black sea
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/10/05/russia-ukraine-air-war-missiles-drones-putin-strategy-victory
- Author: Fredrik Wesslau
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: russia, ukraine, vladimir putin, air campaign, infrastructure strikes, winter, ballistic missiles, drone strikes, patriot interceptors, freija initiative, eu ukraine plan, black sea
## Russia intensifies air campaign
Russia has widened its air war against Ukraine after Ukrainian forces stopped and partially reversed Russian battlefield advances.
## New air war strategy
Putin aims to paralyze Ukraine’s economy, society, and state functions as winter approaches through increased missile and drone strikes.
## Targeting civilian infrastructure
Russia systematically strikes Ukrainian railways, gas stations, port infrastructure, cargo ships, shopping malls, and data centers.
## Cutting off utilities
Russia plans to cut Ukrainian cities off from electricity, heating, and water as winter approaches.
## Increased missile production
Russia produces around 100 ballistic missiles per month, up from a handful in 2022 and expected to rise further by next year.
## U.S. Patriot shortage
The U.S. produces only about half the number of Patriot interceptors Russia produces per month, with stocks dwindling due to Middle East conflicts.
## Jet-powered drones
Russia introduced jet-powered Iranian Shahed drones in 2025, flying at 375 miles per hour and harder to intercept than original propeller drones.
## Gas station strikes
Around 300 of Ukraine’s 5,500 gas stations have been struck in six months, causing diesel prices to rise 50 percent since the start of the year.
## Railway disruptions
Russia has hit around 500 locomotives since 2022, with more than half of attacks this year, causing train delays and passenger evacuations.
## Black Sea port attacks
Russia hit around 50 civilian cargo ships in the Black Sea port of Odesa, effectively shutting down Ukraine’s maritime egress.
## Steel production decline
By late September, three steel plants accounting for 90 percent of Ukraine’s total steel production stopped operations due to Russian strikes.
## Data center strikes
Recent strikes on data centers have caused intermittent internet outages as Ukraine heads into winter.
## Ukraine’s air defense gap
Ukraine’s shortage of Patriot PAC-3 interceptors leaves it defenseless against Russian ballistic missiles like the Oreshnik and Iskander.
## Western support needed
Europe and the U.S. must ramp up military and economic support to Ukraine to counter Russia’s air campaign and prevent mass exodus.
## Key takeaway

Russia’s intensified air campaign aims to paralyze Ukraine’s economy and society by winter through strikes on railways, utilities, and civilian infrastructure.