Is Ukraine really going all out now, getting more aggressive as the fighting escalates?

According to Global Network reports, on the 18th, Ukraine launched an attack using drones, successfully hitting a port in Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Oblast, Russia, causing a cargo ship to catch fire and sustain damage, resulting in 2 deaths and 3 injuries on board.

Ukraine's frontline forces, especially the unmanned combat units, are now becoming more aggressive. Despite repeated threats from Russia, Ukraine seems never to have shown fear. The frequency of bombings has also noticeably increased.

Russian officials later confirmed that at the time of the attack, the damaged cargo ship was docked at the port for loading and unloading, and the drone's precise strike directly hit the ship's fuel tank, instantly igniting a major fire, with thick smoke billowing on-site. The port's fire department dispatched 8 fire trucks and took nearly 3 hours to completely extinguish the flames.

Personnel from the Federal Security Service of Russia responsible for port security disclosed that the model of the drone used in this attack was the Ukrainian self-modified "Pelargonium-2" variant, which has been upgraded to have a range of over 600 kilometers and is equipped with a simple terrain-matching navigation system that can effectively avoid detection by ground radar.

This is not the first time Ukraine has used drones to strike targets in Russia. Just three days before this port attack, Ukrainian drones had also launched a surprise attack on a military warehouse in Belgorod Oblast, Russia, leading to a small-scale explosion of ammunition reserves in the warehouse. Although there were no casualties, it successfully disrupted the Russian side's logistical supply chain.

Ukraine's frontline unmanned combat units have now become the most active force on the battlefield, with combat frequency increased by nearly 50% compared to a month ago. On key battlefields such as Kharkov and Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian drones launch dozens of surprise attacks every day, targeting Russian tanks and artillery with precise strikes, as well as harassment attacks on Russian frontline command posts and communication nodes.

Ukrainian Army spokesperson Alexander Motushenko mentioned in an interview that the unmanned combat units on the frontline have achieved "round-the-clock operations," using drones equipped with optical reconnaissance devices to locate targets during the day and launching surprise attacks with bomb-carrying attack drones at night. This continuous combat mode leaves Russian frontline forces exhausted in response.

In the face of Ukraine's relentless drone attacks, Russia has not refrained from retaliating, instead sending out multiple strong signals of hardline threats. The Russian Ministry of Defense has stated clearly that if Ukraine continues to attack targets within Russian territory, it will launch large-scale retaliatory strikes against Ukraine's decision-making centers and energy infrastructure.

The Russian Aerospace Forces have indeed taken action, repeatedly deploying strategic bombers to bomb Ukraine's power facilities and transportation hubs in cities like Kyiv and Lviv, attempting to undermine Ukraine's combat will by destroying civilian infrastructure. However, these measures seem to have not achieved the desired effect.

On the Zaporizhzhia front, Ukrainian unmanned combat units have achieved a record of destroying 12 Russian tanks and 8 artillery pieces in a single day. They employed a "swarm tactics" strategy, where multiple drones simultaneously launched attacks from different directions, making it difficult for the Russian air defense systems to respond effectively. Even if some drones are shot down, the remaining ones can still complete their strike missions.

Russian frontline commanders are also troubled by the combat capabilities of Ukrainian drones. An internal combat report noted that the precision of Ukrainian drone strikes is increasingly high, even accurately hitting weak points such as tank observation windows and artillery barrels, causing significant losses to Russian armored units.

Ukraine's increasingly aggressive stance has also altered the rhythm of attack and defense on the Russo-Ukrainian battlefield. Previously, Russia held the initiative, continuously advancing into Ukrainian-controlled areas, but now, through sustained drone strikes, Ukraine has successfully tied down some of Russia's forces, forcing them to divide their troops to defend both domestic targets and frontline positions, alleviating some of the defensive pressure on Ukraine's frontlines.

Following the attack at the port of Rostov-on-Don, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense quickly released footage of the strike, clearly showing the drone's precise hit on the cargo ship. This move by Ukraine is evidently intentional, both showcasing its strike capabilities to Russia and sending a message to the outside world that it will "not back down."

Russia reacted strongly to this attack, condemning Ukraine's "terrorist acts" and stating that it would take even tougher measures in response. The Federal Security Service of Russia has initiated an investigation into this attack, trying to determine the drone's launch site and operator information.

However, given the current situation, Russia's hardline response is unlikely to stop Ukraine from continuing similar attacks. Ukraine has found tactics suitable for itself in the field of drone warfare, and this low-cost, high-yield strike method has given Ukraine a certain advantage in its confrontation with Russia.

As Ukraine's unmanned combat units continue to exert pressure, the situation on the Russo-Ukrainian battlefield may become even more complex. Whether Ukraine's increasingly aggressive offensive can truly change the battlefield situation remains uncertain, but one thing is for sure: Ukraine has completely let go of its constraints and has no more reservations. The duration of this conflict is likely to be extended further.

From multiple attacks on targets within Russia to the high-frequency strikes by frontline unmanned combat units, Ukraine has demonstrated its combat will through concrete actions. Although Russia's military strength still holds an advantage, Ukraine's tenacious resistance and continuous counterattacks have also cost Russia a considerable price.

The current Russo-Ukrainian battlefield has entered a state of high-intensity confrontation characterized by "you come and I go." Ukraine's increasingly aggressive stance is not only troubling for Russia but also raises concerns for the entire international community regarding the direction of the situation. After all, the ongoing escalation of the conflict ultimately harms the ordinary people on both sides.