**Ukrainian Drone Strikes Disrupt Key Russian Military Sites**

Ukrainian forces executed significant drone strikes over the weekend, targeting crucial Russian military sites in a demonstration of Kyiv's extended operational reach. The attacks struck an ammunition depot at the Lipetsk-2 airbase in Russia's Lipetsk region and a major weapons manufacturing plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

On Sunday, the Ukrainian military announced via Telegram that drones successfully hit the Lipetsk-2 airbase, targeting ammunition depots, fuel storage, and aviation equipment. The base houses Su-34, Su-35, and MiG-31 fighter aircraft, though the extent of damage to these warplanes remains unclear.

In a second, deeper strike approximately 560 miles from the Ukrainian border, Ukrainian drones targeted the Sverdlov plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region. This state-owned facility produces warheads, artillery shells, and anti-aircraft missiles, and has been previously sanctioned by the US for its role in supporting Russia's war efforts in Ukraine.

These attacks are part of Ukraine's ongoing campaign over recent weeks to hit strategic sites such as airbases and weapons storage facilities. Due to restrictions on using Western-supplied cruise and ballistic missiles against targets inside Russia, Ukraine has depended heavily on domestically produced drones for such operations.

US officials have said that these long-range strikes are likely to complicate Moscow's military operations in Ukraine. A senior US military official noted the effectiveness of these attacks, suggesting they will have a meaningful impact on the battlefield, although the results may not be immediate due to the distance of the targets from the front lines.

George Barros of the Institute for the Study of War also indicated that Ukraine's strike campaign could hinder Russian offensive operations, especially as the conflict's intensity and worsening weather play a role. With ammunition depots being critical targets, Barros suggested that these attacks would further slow Russian advances and potentially culminate in significant operational challenges for Moscow.

This weekend's drone strikes underscore Ukraine's strategic focus on debilitating Russia's ability to sustain its offensive efforts, reflecting an evolving dimension in the ongoing conflict.