Ukraine is escalating a quiet but decisive front in its war with Russia: the systematic destruction of the Kremlin’s defence industry.

Kyiv says recent drone and missile strikes on chemical plants and weapons facilities are already choking Russia’s supply of missile warheads — threatening Moscow’s ability to sustain long-term combat operations.

Warheads Under Pressure as Chemical Plants Hit

According to Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, Russian missile production is now facing a growing shortage of warheads.

Ukrainian forces have struck at least five major chemical plants in the past month alone. Several were targeted repeatedly to ensure operations remained halted.

These facilities form a critical part of the ammunition supply chain. Without them, explosives and propellant components needed for missile production cannot be manufactured at scale.

Missile Factories Also in the Crosshairs

The campaign has also extended beyond chemical plants. Ukrainian strikes have targeted microelectronics producers and infrastructure linked to the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant.

The factory produces key Russian missile systems including the Iskander missile system and the newer Oreshnik missile.

Kovalenko said the attacks are disrupting production lines and damaging logistics networks that feed weapons directly to the front.

North Korean Supplies Cannot Fill the Gap

Russia has attempted to offset shortages by importing ammunition from North Korea. But Ukrainian officials say foreign deliveries cannot sustain Moscow’s war effort without a functioning domestic defence industry.

Missile production, explosives manufacturing and electronic components must ultimately be produced inside Russia’s industrial system.

Drones Push Deep Into Russia’s Rear

Kyiv’s strikes are also moving deeper into Russian territory. Recent drone attacks hit fuel infrastructure in the Krasnodar Krai, a key logistics hub supporting Russian military operations.

Explosions have also been reported in Crimea, where Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian air defence missile regiment.

Industrial War Becomes the Deciding Front

For Ukrainian planners, the strategy is blunt: destroy the machinery of war faster than Russia can rebuild it.

Kovalenko argues the conflict will not be decided only on the battlefield. The decisive front, he says, lies inside Russia’s factories — where the missiles, shells and drones that power Moscow’s war are built.

Ukraine explains why strikes on Russia's defense industry are decisive

Next, Russian oil refineries?