While the news grabbed headlines, it was not the first time that Ukraine has reportedly targeted sites deep within Russia. AdvertisementUkraine does not currently have permission to use long-range guided weapons such as the ATACMS to hit such targets inside Russia. While striking targets so far from the frontline may be seen as Ukraine spreading itself rather thinly, such attacks have three key benefits, experts told BI. "Russia has already adapted its air defense posture following previous drone strikes and reportedly has stood up mobile counter-UAS [unmanned aircraft system] teams. Russia's S-400 is one of its most advanced air defense systems.

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Persons: —, Mark Cancian, Cancian, Justin Bronk, Moscow's pocketbook, John Hardie, Hardie, hasn't, Bronk Organizations: Service, Business, Ukraine's Security Service, International Security, Centre, Strategic, International Studies, Stringer, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Ukraine, Royal United Services Institute, Russia, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Bloomberg, Reuters Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Murmansk, Russia, Astrakhan, Bashkortostan, Moscow