EXCLUSIVE: Russia upgrades weapons to evade Ukraine’s defenses. This could stretch the war

Upgraded Russian weapons have threatened to tip the battlefield balance in Ukraine, TheCable can report.

Intelligence officials say the upgrades are designed to overwhelm Ukraine’s existing defense architecture, which has relied heavily on Western-supplied systems in the nearly four-year war.

In June, a US Defense Intelligence Agency report said Ukraine had struggled to use its Patriot systems, a mobile surface-to-air missile, effectively “because of recent Russian tactical improvements, including enhancements that enable their missiles to change trajectory and perform maneuvers rather than flying in a traditional ballistic trajectory”.

Ivan Kholostenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to Nigeria, told TheCable the development was a breach of the war’s rules.

“When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, one of its declared goals was the so-called ‘demilitarisation’ of Ukraine — a country that had voluntarily given up the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal as a gesture of peace, and which Russia itself had pledged to protect,” he said.

“What we see instead is bitter irony: not the demilitarisation of Ukraine, but the aggressive militarisation of Russia.

“Over the past three years, the Kremlin has spent more than $1 trillion to fund its war of aggression, including $18 billion on missile and drone attacks.

“Russia is actively modernising and expanding its arsenal, deploying weapons that are used not only against military targets but also against civilians.”

The ambassador noted that some of the weapons Moscow was deploying were prohibited, in contravention of international humanitarian law

“It has used chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops and continues to launch cluster munitions against civilian areas,” he said.

When contacted for comments, the Russian embassy did not deny the move but instead said it was a “necessary shift”.

“The conflict in Ukraine has revolutionised the way warfare is conducted. The widespread use of unmanned aerial vehicles and other robotic technologies has necessitated a shift in combat tactics,” the embassy told TheCable.

DAMPENED HOPES OF A PEACE DEAL

The development comes as both sides prepare for another grueling winter on the battlefield. With neither side signalling compromise, and with Russia finding ways to sidestep Western defenses, hopes for a swift resolution continue to fade.

Analysts say Moscow’s latest weapons upgrades dim expectations of any imminent peace agreement.

US President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker a peace deal between both sides hit a brick wall despite Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s historic visit to Alaska — a meeting which ended in a deadlock.

Kholostenko said Russia has shown no genuine interest in a peace agreement.

“On the contrary, Russia continues to pursue its geopolitical goals through military force, not diplomacy,” the ambassador said.

The ambassador pointed to Russia’s recent violations of NATO airspace in Estonia, Poland, and Romania as serious provocations that increase regional tensions.

He said the actions were part the Kremlin’s broader strategy to expand its influence and destabilise Europe, calling for stronger sanctions in response.

“Ukraine, on its part, remains ready for peace negotiations — but only under conditions that ensure respect for our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. Only then can we speak of a genuine and lasting peace,” he added.

During the 80th UNGA in New York, Sergey Lavrov, Russian foreign minister, said the country was open to negotiations but it would protect its security and vital interests.

“We would like to point out that it is not Russia that is avoiding negotiations and a peace agreement with Ukraine,” he said.

“The rights of Russia and Russian-speaking people in territories remaining under the control of the Kiev regime must be fully restored.

“At the moment, neither Kiev nor its European sponsors show any sign of realising the gravity of the moment — or readiness to negotiate in good faith.”

‘RUSSIA MAY HAVE ADVANTAGE BUT UKRAINE BETTING ON INNOVATION’

The Trump administration recently approved a new mechanism where European NATO allies purchase American arms to supply to Kyiv.

The arrangement involves shipments worth up to $500 million.

Kholostenko told TheCable that the advanced air defense systems, long-range missiles, electronic warfare tools, and other modern systems are helping to maintain a balance of power on the battlefield.

But he noted that Ukraine is actively building its own defense industry, realising that self-reliance in security is essential for long-term protection.

“Russia may have the advantage in terms of mobilisation, but Ukraine is betting on innovation — smart technologies that give our defenders a tactical edge,” he said.

“From FPV drones and drone interceptors to robotic ground and naval platforms, Ukraine is developing and testing cutting-edge systems in real combat.

“Ukraine is a peaceful nation. But under attack, we have proven our ability to adapt quickly and transform limited resources into tactical advantage.”