While there's some overlap in methodologies and back-and-forth with various escalations, so-called malware is distinct from software exploits. Malware can be delivered without an exploit and quite often is. Social engineering is highly effective.

> On the bright side, using these weapon grade malware is burning exploits and also showing current state and techniques of Russian cyberwarfare which defender can learn a lot from.

Or perhaps they used an already-known malware to measure defensive capabilities without showing any of their cards.

Interesting that Russia still hasn't targeted the bridges going into Ukraine from Poland for some reason.