Ukraine has conducted at least one missile strike on a Russian military base in Russia, according to news reports today.

Russia has superior firepower. It would be like asking why didn't Saddam strike the US?

The if negates the question.

Because Ukraine doesn't want war?

At this point it doesn't seem they have a choice?

There's a difference between self-defence and retaliation. At the end of the day it's civilians who pay the price.

If the Ukraine strike Russian territory and inflict, pain or death on their citizens then Putin gains a lot more support.

It would be a monumentally stupid idea.

I agree that it wouldn't be the best PR but it would be a relatively good way to weaken them.

In any case, it seems relatively clear that NATO won't help them and they don't really have allies. So acting as the victim is not providing any benefits for them.

It seems Ukrainians don't have a lot of leverage in this war otherwise and their prospects are currently not so bright.

So that would be to put in balance with the risk of annexation to Russia and de facto suppression of their democracy.

> I agree that it wouldn't be the best PR but it would be a relatively good way to weaken them.

Wars are won by morale. Material is instrumental to that, sure, but a relatively minor material gain (and against Russia, that's all Ukraine gains by unrestricted targeting in Russia) isn't worth a massive boost to the enemy population’s willingness to fight when that will is likely the greatest weakness your opponent has and your best path to victory. No one neighboring Russia is going to defeat them in a conventional war materially, but they have been outlasted in willingness to fight.

You also give Russia a counter-casus belli and lose the sympathy of the rest of the world.

1. Ukraine doesn't even have the military strength to defend itself. It is far from being in an offensive position.

2. It would justify Russia's propaganda saying that Ukraine is attacking Russian assets.

3. Global sanctions are more painful to Putin than deaths of his people. Putin is happy to sacrifice civilians and resources to bring back the Soviet Union.

It did, they destroyed an airport in Russia with a ballistic missile strike.

But Russia seem to have destroyed most of Ukraine's ballistic missiles without them firing a shot.

Poor readyness, and lack of serious attitude did cost Ukraine the golden 30 minutes.