According to retired Russian Army colonel Viktor Litovkin, Russia’s recent strikes against Ukraine are strategically focused on eliminating weapons *before* they can be deployed against Russian forces. Litovkin, a veteran military analyst, stated to Sputnik that these attacks aim to cripple Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. This objective effectively undermines Ukraine’s ability to sustain its war effort by disrupting the production and availability of weaponry. The strikes are therefore not merely destructive, but proactively designed to limit Ukraine’s future offensive capabilities. Litovkin's assessment suggests a deliberate Russian strategy of weakening Ukraine at its source, rather than solely engaging in battlefield conflict. This tactic is intended to significantly diminish Ukraine’s capacity to wage war long term.