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Russia has significantly escalated its use of drones in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, increasing both the frequency and scale of attacks on Ukrainian cities, according to Bloomberg.
In a dramatic show of force, Moscow launched a record-breaking 479 drones in a single night in early June, followed by 315 the next day, striking Kyiv and Odesa.
The backbone of Russia’s aerial assault is the Shahed drone, a low-cost, Iranian-designed weapon that has become central to Moscow’s warfare strategy.
Russian drone production has ramped up sharply, with estimates indicating that the Kremlin is now producing 300-350 long-range drones daily, with plans to increase that number to 500.
In 2025, Russia’s drone production capacity surged, nearly doubling its output from the previous year, with more than 30,000 long-range drones now expected to be produced annually, alongside millions of smaller tactical drones designed to attack ground targets.
Despite Ukraine’s efforts to counter these attacks with air defense systems and electronic jamming, Russia’s overwhelming drone numbers are beginning to saturate Ukraine’s defenses.
In response to Russia’s growing reliance on drones, the European Union has stepped up its sanctions, proposing export bans targeting critical technologies and industrial goods that could bolster Russia’s military production capabilities.
EU officials are particularly focused on preventing the transfer of dual-use goods, which can be repurposed for drone, missile, and other weapon manufacturing.
On the battlefield, drones have become a pivotal weapon for both sides. Ukraine, despite the challenges posed by Russia’s intensified drone campaign, has taken an innovative approach by launching its own drone strikes deep within Russian territory, targeting strategic airbases and critical infrastructure.
