11 February 2026, 14:15

‘Expanding deep-strike capabilities’: Expert analyzes new realities of special military operation

Andrei Klintsevich [Screengrab/BelTA]

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MINSK, 11 February (BelTA) – Head of the Russian Center for Military and Political Conflict Studies Andrei Klintsevich analyzed the dynamics in the special military operation zone in a recent episode of the V Teme [On Point] project on BelTA’s YouTube channel.

Speaking about operational dynamics, the expert noted that one should not focus on individual settlements, as a significant part of the engagements is unfolding in the ‘gray zone’. “The nature of combat has changed so much that the front line is no longer the 500 meters between trenches, as it was before, but 20-30 kilometers separating the positions of FPV drone operators. And it is within this ‘gray zone’ [between the drone operators’ stations], that various groups now maneuver. As a result, any notion of ‘control’ [over settlements] has become highly conditional,” Andrei Klintsevich said.

He noted that the Russian army is currently developing new forms and methods of fight. This concerns, in part, the rear areas of the special military operation. “We are rapidly developing strike capabilities in depth. For example, glide bombs, which previously flew 60 km, can now fly 160 km with the addition of a small engine. And a 500 kg warhead hitting that area makes a serious impact,” the expert emphasized.

According to Andrei Klintsevich, the reality is that the Russian army is advancing: “Somewhere the enemy attempts a counterattack, and some village comes under their control. But overall, we need to look at how many reserves the enemy is bringing in. They are forced to do this constantly to counter our attacks, but war is beginning to be measured by the number of drones and strike weapons reaching the front.”