Ukraine intensifies drone warfare in deep strikes on Russia
There are increasing reports from the front about extensive Ukrainian drone attacks on targets in Russia. In response, Moscow has deployed a record number of drones in recent months. "We have a positional war on both sides, and the goal is to destroy the opponent," says WP Bartłomiej Wypartowicz, an expert from the Defence24 portal.
On Monday, Andrij Kovalinko, head of the Ukrainian government’s Centre for Counteracting Disinformation (CPD), reported that Ukrainian drones attacked a gas processing plant in Astrakhan, Russia. "This is one of the key energy facilities in Russia, involved in the processing of gas condensate and the production of petrol, diesel, and other fuels," Kovalinko wrote on Telegram.
An explosion also occurred at an oil refinery in Volgograd. Moreover, flights at several Russian airports were suspended. Mid last week, Ukraine reportedly launched a massive drone attack on Russian territory. Moscow claimed it managed to destroy a total of 104 drones, 47 of which were over the Kursk region itself. Kyiv's targets were oil and energy facilities. Examples could be multiplied.
But as noted on the social media profile "Ukraine: war" on Facebook, Russians are also actively using drones. "After a minor setback in December — January will be record-breaking in this regard. In October 2024, they used 1,924 drones, in November 2,363, in December 1,850, and as of 27th January this year, there were 2,289," it reads on Facebook. In the following four days of January, their number was said to have exceeded the November figure.
"Russians are constantly trying to improve drones and achieve a balance between cheap parts from China and better effectiveness. There is a focus on better manoeuvrability, better antennas, and using communication with the help of Ukrainian mobile operators' SIM cards," informs the profile "Ukraine: war".
According to the expert from the Defence24 portal, without a doubt, we are dealing with a "drone war" at the front.
- It is a positional and war of attrition, reminiscent of a clash from World War I. Drones play a crucial role. On the Ukrainian side, strikes are made with long-range machines, for example, in refineries on Russian territory. Aeroplanes converted to drones are used in these cases. Due to increased range and the ability to carry larger explosive payloads, they have greater effectiveness in destroying strategic targets. Ukraine has frequently used this solution, striking deep into the Russian military's rear – says Bartłomiej Wypartowicz.
And as he adds, systems for electronic warfare and countering enemy machines have developed in parallel with the "drone war". - It is increasingly easy to misguide drone flight paths, thus preventing them from achieving their goals. In terms of electronic warfare systems, Ukraine managed well at the beginning of the war. This was because the Russian electronic warfare systems (EW) were not as numerous. They were not adjusted to the software of Ukrainian machines. But Moscow learned its lesson and improved its ability to disrupt drones – comments the expert on the Ukrainian-Russian conflict.
As he emphasises, Ukraine had to learn this as well.
- For instance, they use so-called backpack jammers to protect small groups of soldiers, preventing counter-attacks by enemy drones. Often, civilian drones with modified software are lost because they fly into an electronic trap. The operator loses contact with it, and thus the drone is lost – says Wypartowicz.
In his opinion, Russians heavily rely on Iranian technology.
- Iranian drones are already being produced in Russia under the name "Geran-2". According to recent reports, they are being manufactured, among others, by workers from North Korea, specifically brought in for this task. Additionally, Russians use ordinary "assemblies" from Chinese parts. And these parts, despite export restrictions, play an essential role in manufacturing drones on both sides: Russian and Ukrainian. They still – through third countries – make their way to Russia and Ukraine – reveals the interlocutor of Wirtualna Polska.
He gives an example of a simple observational drone, which can be made using just 3D-printed components, a few Chinese pieces, and accompanying software.
- Thanks to Chinese parts, the cost of producing a drone is automatically lower. A drone can then be made for about £240-400. The cost of a military machine is tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds – says Wypartowicz.
In his opinion, according to various reports, Russia currently produces more unmanned vehicles than Ukraine.
- Kyiv produced over a million of such drones. However, Russia, having shifted its production to a more wartime footing, is now capable of producing significantly more. But we do not know the effectiveness of a single drone. We see videos on social media showing strikes, but we do not see how many of them missed – reminds the expert from the Defence24 portal.
In his assessment, Ukraine has targeted oil storage facilities to decrease the revenues that the Russian Federation earns from selling this commodity and to complicate the Russian army's supply.
- Ukraine boasted some time ago about its Polanica drone, which can reach a target approximately 1,000 kilometres away. That is enough to strike deep into Russian rear areas. But for years, they did not have drones with such range. So they either use unmanned aircraft filled with explosives for this purpose or support themselves with diversionary actions carried out from the territory of the Russian Federation. Ukraine is trying to make do with what it has, patching up gaps in the air where Russia has a clear advantage – concludes Bartłomiej Wypartowicz.
Sylwester Ruszkiewicz
