Across 2024 and 2025, there were numerous sabotage attacks aimed at military and other important infrastructure in Russia. This attacks were orchestrated by both Ukrainian forces and pro-Ukraine groups inside the country’s borders.
Some of the more high-profile attacks were directly attributed to Ukrainian intelligence and special forces. The aftermath caused millions in damages for Russia, significantly disrupted military logistics, and exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s security.
The Financial Toll
Sabotage can be as important as a head-on attack and can cost government agencies an unprecedented amount. In Russia’s case, aircraft were disabled or destroyed, including Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers.
At the very least, 141 Russian aircraft have been lost over the last three years, according to open-source intelligence. The price of replacing the bombers alone can cost the nation billions.
Oil Infrastructure
Other assets included in the attacks have been fuel depots and Russian oil refineries. According to the BBC Russian Service and Kyiv Post, more than 80 refineries were targeted in 2024. Southern Russia has seen several regions being hit multiple times, which can cause fires and force operations to shut down.
Ryazan and Syzran are refineries that experienced drone attacks and had to temporarily cease operations. These coordinated strikes impact Russia’s overall oil production to lows that haven’t been seen in recent years.
Disrupted Military Logistics
Russian Military operations have been targeted by sabotage, resulting in railways and supply lines being compromised. According to The New York Times, partisan groups have further hindered military processes by derailing ammunition trains and disabling important signaling equipment.
This sabotage means that Russia has to focus on repair and security measures instead of funneling resources to front lines and other operations.
Impacting Morale
Other than directly hindering Russian operations, the targeted strikes have an impact on morale. With Ukraine and pro-Ukrainian groups managing to target key assets deep within Russian territory, the illusion that attacks happen close to the front lines has been shattered.
In response to the sabotage, Russia has invested heavily in new defensive measures and tightened security.
Military Casualties
Overall statistics from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) suggest that military casualties from the Ukraine-Russia conflict since 2022 have been over 1 million, ranging from injuries to deaths.
During more intense assaults and conflicts, casualties can range up to 1,000 per day. These figures are all casualties, including results from sabotage far behind the front lines.
Economic Hits
Russia is already facing hard economic realities from the prolonged conflict with Ukraine. The nation has faced severe sanctions, inflation, and interest rates. Taking hits to important infrastructure via sabotage only exacerbates economic issues.
Over the last three years, the National Wealth Fund has lost two-thirds of its liquidation, according to CSIS. As Russia has to suspend operations at refineries that become damaged due to sabotage and rebuild or replace important equipment, the economy becomes further strained.
The Evolution Of Tactics
In recent years, Ukraine and Russia have evolved new strategies, leveraging the use of inexpensive drones to inflict disproportionate damage on the other side.
Each side has to adapt to each other’s offensives and develop new countermeasures, or they risk further destruction of key assets. Moscow is falling behind as Ukrainian operatives use more decentralized tactics within its borders.
Global Consequences
The unprecedented sabotage that has taken place within Russia’s borders has consequences not only within its borders but also on a global scale. Russian oil exports serve an important role in stabilizing energy prices, and the hits to its refineries serve to change this.
Further than just affecting prices, Ukraine’s operations have been praised by Western allies, with governments reiterating their support for the country.
The Future For Russia
The effects of the sabotage on Russia are costing the country in many ways, and are still ongoing. In some cases, billions are being lost as assets are destroyed or disabled and need to be replaced.
The already fragile economy is under strain from Ukrainian operations deep behind enemy lines, and as both nations develop new tactics, Ukraine could strike again at any moment, and hard. According to CSIS and other analysts, the battlefield is evolving, and Russia needs to guard not only the front lines but deep within itself as well.
