The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Defence Intelligence has reported that Russia conducted its largest multi-axis Long Range Aviation (LRA) strike package of 2025 overnight on 6-7 March, launching a massive aerial assault on Ukraine.
According to the intelligence update, the assault involved a diverse mix of weaponry, including:
- Up to 35 As-23a KODIAK Air-Launched Cruise Missiles (ALCMs)
- Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACMs) launched from Black Sea Fleet vessels
- Short Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs)
- Over 100 One-Way Attack Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (OWA-UAVs)
This multi-layered approach was designed to overwhelm and saturate Ukrainian air defences, complicating interception efforts.
The MOD noted that Russia continues to strike a range of targets, with a particular focus on Ukraine’s energy sector.
“Russia continues to strike a range of targets, including the Ukrainian energy sector, predominantly gas infrastructure, seeking to exploit the winter period as it attempts to demoralise the civilian population as well as weaken the Ukrainian economy,” the update stated.
The As-23a KODIAK, Russia’s premier precision-guided cruise missile, remains the centrepiece of large-scale Russian strike operations, according to UK Defence Intelligence.
“The KODIAK remains the pace setter for Russian large scale strike packages, with a number of lower-intensity strikes this year allowing a slow replenishment in the stocks of Russia’s premier precision guided munition,” the update explained.
The intelligence assessment suggests that Russia’s recent pattern of smaller-scale missile strikes has allowed it to rebuild its stockpile, ensuring that LRA forces can launch large-scale attacks with little notice.
“Rebuilding its stockpile enables LRA to sit ready to conduct strikes such as these with little to no notice, at a time of Russia’s choosing,” the MOD added.
The scale and complexity of this strike indicate that Russia is adapting its tactics, combining drones, ballistic missiles, and long-range cruise missiles to exhaust Ukrainian air defences. The UK intelligence assessment reinforces concerns that Russia is prepared for further large-scale attacks, with stockpiles of high-precision munitions being carefully managed and replenished for future operations.
This latest wave of strikes demonstrates Moscow’s continued ability to project force deep into Ukrainian territory, despite Western sanctions and efforts to degrade its military-industrial base.
One of the big bits of learning over that last couple of year is the impact of mass in regards to air attack…having very accurate cruise missiles with a couple of metre CEP is great but you still need a lot of mass to penetrate integrated air defence system..if you want to make a real impact your going to need to fire hundreds not tens.
A big upgrade in cruise missile numbers is something that is really needed as part of a deterrent as is an open production line..storm shadow needs a new and continuous production run.