Ukraine shifts strategy to hit Russian airports and data centers

Ukraine has shifted its military strategy to target Russian airports and data centers with drone attacks, following President Donald Trump's request to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries. The new approach aims to pressure Moscow's economy without relying on US support. According to The Atlantic, Ukrainian drones have disrupted Moscow's air traffic nearly daily, forcing all four capital airports to close temporarily and canceling 345 flights in one week. Since October 8, at least four Russian data centers have been struck, disrupting online services including banking and Yandex infrastructure. The strategy shift came after Trump urged Kyiv to stop refinery attacks amid a US-Russia diesel deal, suggesting Ukraine target other objectives instead. Russia has escalated bombardments on Ukrainian cities, with September seeing hundreds of civilian deaths, leaving Kyiv with limited options between Moscow-imposed negotiations or continued fighting with reduced support.