Russia and Ukraine have intensified their aerial attacks as fighting along the front line remains largely stagnant, with analysts warning that offensive capabilities are increasingly outpacing air defenses.

Axar.az reports, citing CNN, that Olha Polishchuk, Eastern Europe research manager at the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) project, made the remarks.

“We definitely see an increased number of (attack) events, an increased number of casualties as well,” she said.

She added that there had also been “an escalation also with regard to the variety of targets that are hit.”

Ukraine has increased long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, tankers, power substations and other energy infrastructure, as well as targets linked to Russia’s military logistics and economy. Analysts say Kyiv's campaign is also aimed at stretching Russian air defenses and slowing Moscow’s summer offensive.

Russia, meanwhile, has continued to launch large-scale drone and missile attacks against Ukraine. Moscow launched an average of 172 strikes on Ukraine per day last month, compared with an average of 28 attacks by Kyiv against Russia.

The intensification of the air war has contributed to a sharp rise in civilian casualties. The United Nations recorded at least 1,396 civilians killed and 7,978 wounded in Ukraine during the first half of 2026, a 37% increase from the same period last year.

In July, Russia fired 139 ballistic missiles at Ukraine, the highest monthly total this year, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Click to access the full report.