Ukraine’s surprise attack on a fleet of Russian planes over the weekend illustrates the changing nature of modern warfare. But could the attack also change Ukraine’s fortunes in the war?

The two sides are still locked in battle more than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of its European neighbor. Russian casualties — nearing 1 million — and losses on the battlefield have started to become the focus of media coverage, with many observers questioning how much longer Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to press the conflict.

Mai’a Cross, dean’s professor of political science, international affairs and diplomacy at Northeastern University, is an expert in European affairs and an observer of the war. We spoke to her about Ukraine’s long game, and whether its successful attack in Russia has changed the larger calculus.