Does invading planets work in strategic combat?

[Noble713]

The few times I've assaulted defended planets in strategic mode, my fleet has fired, then stopped firing as the transports move in and take the place. Only a few times have they actually destroyed the colony. I stopped using Strategic after I lost an entire fleet to a single planet. Why? Because my stupid ships closed the range to take out the planet's defenses and were cut to pieces. Normally I would keep the direct-fire ships back and take out the WPs by missile dancing.