Ukraine Doubles Mid-Range Drone Strikes, Destroying 129 Air Defenses
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 19
Ukraine Doubles Mid-Range Drone Strikes, Destroying 129 Air Defenses
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 19
Ukraine has sharply expanded drone attacks 30-180 km behind the front, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy saying "middle strikes" doubled from March and quadrupled from February.
At least 129 Russian air-defense systems have been destroyed this year, drone-force commander Robert Brovdi said, as Kyiv targets radars, Buk, Tor and Pantsir systems, logistics and large military vehicles.
Those attacks are opening corridors for deeper strikes up to 2,000 km, helping Ukrainian drones hit oil facilities including Ryazan, Tuapse, NORSI and Perm with less resistance.
More than 160 middle strikes were carried out in April at 120-150 km range, Ukraine's Defence Ministry said, stretching Russian logistics and contributing to the slowest pace of Russian battlefield advances since 2023.
Analysts say the campaign will not by itself reverse the war, but it is forcing Russia to disperse defenses, adapt operations and respond to a fast-innovating Ukrainian drone industry.
How can Russia adapt after its air defenses were dismantled by low-cost Ukrainian drones?
With its strategic bomber fleet crippled, can Russia still project its long-range military power?
As Ukrainian robots now capture territory, are we witnessing the dawn of fully autonomous warfare?
Ukraine’s 7 Million Drone Surge: How Mass Production Reshaped the Russia War and Global Military Strategy (2026)
Overview
In 2026, Ukraine’s drone campaign stands at the heart of its military strategy, marked by a high volume of strikes using mostly inexpensive, domestically produced drones. These drones are central to Ukraine’s deep-strike capabilities, targeting and disrupting Russian operations and infrastructure. The sustained campaign has significantly degraded Russian air defenses, especially in occupied regions like Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. This weakening of defenses has created a more favorable environment for Ukraine, potentially paving the way for future military actions toward Crimea. Overall, Ukraine’s innovative use of drones has shifted the battlefield dynamics and challenged Russian defensive postures.