Russia has reduced its ballistic missile strikes: media outlets have identified a possible reason.

Since August, Russia has significantly reduced its use of ballistic missiles against Ukraine, while simultaneously increasing its use of jet-powered drones. This change in tactics may indicate a stockpiling of missiles for a new wave of strikes against the Ukrainian energy sector this winter.

Bloomberg writes about this.

According to the publication, ballistic missiles are one of the most dangerous weapons for Ukrainian infrastructure, particularly energy facilities. At the same time, Russia is increasingly using fast-moving drones, which are harder to intercept. Reuters notes that the number of such drones in Russian attacks has increased sharply in recent months.

Bloomberg suggests that the reduction in ballistic missile use may be due to their stockpiling in anticipation of the cold season. It is during this period that Moscow may again focus its strikes on Ukrainian power and heating facilities. The heating season typically begins in late October or early November.

A separate risk remains the shortage of interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense systems, which are one of the key means of countering ballistic missiles.

At the same time, reducing the number of ballistic missile strikes does not automatically reduce the missile threat. According to Bloomberg, Russia may simply be changing the composition of its strike packages and preserving some of its most powerful missiles for future attacks.

Reuters also previously reported that Russia is using refurbished RM48U training missiles, allowing it to stockpile more advanced ballistic missiles, particularly the Iskander and KN-23, for larger-scale strikes.