attacks in Russia during the Russo-Ukrainian war

Significance

Attacks on Russian territory since the February 2022 full-scale invasion have formed a secondary front aimed at degrading Russian military capacity from within its own borders. The primary targets have been military installations, arms industry infrastructure, and oil facilities, struck through drone attacks, firebombing, and rail sabotage. Ukrainian intelligence services acknowledged responsibility for some operations, while others were attributed to Russian anti-war activists. Cross-border shelling, missile strikes, and covert raids have concentrated in Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk oblasts. On multiple occasions, Ukrainian-based paramilitary units composed largely of Russian emigrants launched ground incursions, temporarily seizing border villages and engaging Russian forces. Ukraine publicly supported these incursions while denying direct involvement, maintaining a degree of deniability over operations conducted on Russian soil.