The Japan Times - 'Fight relentlessly': Ukraine commander vows strikes into Russia

He gave a recent exclusive interview to AFP, before the latest wave of attacks, in which Kyiv launched nearly 600 drones over Russia and killed four people.

Ukraine's deep strikes, Madyar and officials said, target defence industry and oil facilities to deprive Russia of the resources it needs to continue the war.

"The sources of funding for Putin's war expenses... have become legitimate and priority military targets in any area, in any part of the territory of the occupying country, whether we are talking about the south, the Urals, or Siberia," he said.

Ukraine has struck deeper and more regularly into Russian territory in recent months.

Kyiv says attacks across Russian territory, including on Tuapse and Primorsk, have inflicted billions in losses, with Russian authorities reporting some casualties.

Madyar said Ukraine's expanded strikes inside Russian territory were driven by several factors -- more resources, a strategic shift and the gradual dismantling of Russian air-defence systems.

"The enemy built a wall consisting of many elements of air defence... we had to cut a door open to get through," he said.

His forces systematically prioritised targeting Russian air defence starting in December 2025, he said.

- 'Cannot predict' -

There was still a long way to go before destroying the entire air-defence network, but effects are starting to be felt, he added.

"We realised that there isn't that much air defence left to destroy to gain access deep into the territory," he said.

"The territory is so vast, and there are so many sensitive targets within it, that the enemy cannot predict where we will fly tomorrow," Madyar said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had the right to launch retaliatory strikes at Russia after a massive Russian attack on Kyiv earlier this week killed 24 people.

On Saturday night, AFP journalists witnessed long-range drones being launched toward Russia, in what turned out to be one of the largest barrages of the conflict.

Battalion members prepared the drones in pitch dark, illuminated only by red torches.

The drones, resembling small planes, flew off, leaving trails of fire behind them.

The strikes showed that "even the heavily protected Moscow region is not safe", Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said.

- 'Dramatic image' -

The threat of attacks has rattled Russia.

Moscow was forced to scale down its May 9th Victory Day parade, usually marked by a grand military show.

This year's celebrations featured no military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades.

Moscow also warned Kyiv residents of a possible retaliatory strike if Ukraine targeted the event, before US President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire would take effect, alongside a planned exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war from each side.

"Is a dramatic image of possible explosions in the heart of the war, in the centre of Moscow, worth more than a thousand lives saved?" Madyar asked rhetorically.

"Is it worth risking our relationship with the Americans?"

Delaying attacks by a few days made no difference, he said.

And he vowed to "fight relentlessly" with further strikes that would catch Moscow by surprise.

"The element of surprise is like those children's toys with a shooting gallery, a little hammer, and a bunny that pops up in different windows... you have to be quick enough to catch it."

K.Abe--JT