Report: Ukraine uses more long-range drones than Russia
Moscow primarily targets Ukraine's energy infrastructure with its long-range drones, while Kyiv retaliates by targeting Russian airfields and oil refineries. According to a report, Ukraine launched more long-range drone attacks in the past month than the aggressor for the first time since the start of the war.
Ukraine has reportedly carried out more long-range drone strikes in a month than Russia for the first time since the beginning of the war, according to a media report. As reported by Forbes, Russia launched 426 drone attacks on targets in Ukraine in July, while Kyiv retaliated with 524 attack drones.
The US magazine cites data from the X-channel Shahed Tracker, which collects data on Russian drone attacks, among other sources. According to the analysis, Moscow launched around 380 long-range drone attacks in January and February, with the number rising to 601 in March and 336 in June. For Ukrainian attacks, Forbes relies on Russian government reports, which have reported fewer than 200 attacks in the months of May and June. These figures cannot be independently verified.
Moscow primarily relies on the Shahed drone, developed in Iran, for its long-range attacks. The drone is simple to manufacture and significantly cheaper than cruise missiles, with an estimated cost of around 18,000 euros. Russia typically launches waves of up to 30 Shaheds, with a range of over 1,600 kilometers.
Unlike Russia, Ukraine relies on a wide range of different attack drones, with military analyst H I Sutton identifying 22 different models, from converted light aircraft to specially designed jet-powered attack drones. Russia's attacks primarily target Ukraine's energy infrastructure, while Kyiv focuses on oil refineries, military airfields, and power transformers.
"Ukraine has not yet surpassed the total of 600 Shaheds that Russia fired in March and December," Forbes concludes. "But July could mark a turning point in the strategic drone war and the beginning of increasing problems for Russia."
The European Union has expressed concern over Russia's escalating drone attacks against Ukraine, calling for international efforts to de-escalate the situation. The European Union strongly condemns Russia's use of drones as a weapon of war and advocates for stricter sanctions against Moscow.
