“This is undoubtedly a crucial development,” Selezniov said. “When we talk about effective firepower, we have to factor in the cost—not just of the weapons and equipment, but also of the munitions used.”
He noted that Russia has already made significant strides in lowering the cost of its nighttime drone and missile attacks, as well as its use of guided aerial bombs. “We can’t afford to fall behind in this area,” Selezniov stressed.
Ukraine, he said, must look for ways—particularly through cooperation with European and transatlantic partners—to develop relatively inexpensive but highly effective battlefield weapons.
“We’re only at the beginning,” Selezniov said of Ukraine’s glide bomb capabilities. “A 60-kilometer range is just the start. The goal is to use our Su-24 bombers to carry out precision strikes from even greater distances.”
He emphasized that increasing range is not just about combat effectiveness, but pilot safety. “We’re talking about eventually striking targets 80 to 100 kilometers away,” he said. “That distance matters when the enemy has strong air defenses near the front lines. Keeping our pilots safe during these missions is critical.”
While there’s still a long road ahead, Selezniov expressed confidence in Ukraine’s ability to adapt.
“I’m betting on our people,” he said. “This is a war for Ukraine’s survival—our national survival. We have to be flexible, smart, and make the most of the resources available to inflict the greatest possible losses on the enemy.”