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Can Ukraine Keep Striking Long-Range Targets With No Western Intel? Ukrainian Military Has Answers
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukraine’s ability to conduct precision long-range strikes on targets inside Russia would be “critically reduced” but not halted if Western intelligence support were interrupted, according to a UNITED24 Media correspondent who attended Fire Point ’s press conference and reviewed statements made by Ukrainian officers during the briefing.
Servicemembers operating long-range strike systems stated that Western intelligence remains essential for identifying, verifying and tracking high-value Russian military targets.
According to the officers, real-time intelligence allows Ukrainian strike units to plan missions with the necessary precision and to avoid unnecessary losses of personnel and equipment.
During the discussion, one representative from Ukraine’s special operations community noted that the absence of Western intelligence would significantly complicate mission planning.
He emphasized that without external data, Ukrainian units would “struggle to generate reliable target information,” making the strike process slower and more resource-intensive. “Our ability to do this would be critically reduced… It would be much more difficult for us,” the officer said.
Despite this, Ukrainian personnel stressed that long-range operations would not stop. According to statements made at the briefing, Ukraine has developed its own reconnaissance, drone-based surveillance and analytical systems capable of sustaining strike operations even under limited intelligence conditions.
As one officer stated during the panel, “We will be able to continue striking targets inside Russia. It will be harder… but it will continue.”
The officers added that domestic reconnaissance tools, including Fire Point drones equipped with onboard surveillance systems, can partially compensate for gaps in external intelligence. According to the Ukrainian military, strike units have maintained operational continuity during periods of reduced access to external data, relying on internal reconnaissance and deep-strike drone platforms.
Ukrainian representatives emphasized that while Western intelligence significantly enhances the precision, speed and scale of Ukraine’s long-range strike operations, Ukrainian forces have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to adapt and continue striking Russian targets using national resources.
According to military personnel who spoke at the event, Ukraine would maintain its strike capability even under more difficult conditions, though with reduced efficiency, slower targeting cycles and increased operational risks.
Earlier, on October 31, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported that Ukrainian drones had struck over 160 Russian oil infrastructure sites in 2025, cutting refinery output by 37% and triggering fuel shortages across 57 regions.
According to SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk, the campaign forced Moscow to impose a gasoline export ban through the end of the year.
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-e027084132fee1ae6b313d8b1d5dfc34.jpg "SBU Reportedly Strikes Russian Oil Platforms for the Second Time This Week in the Caspian Sea")
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
