Back
Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
How will Ukrainian long-range drones change in the future? The defense forces are increasing strikes on the Russian rear each year using long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, burning key airfields, refineries, and logistics centers. The culmination was a 40-day operation to destroy enemy infrastructure. RBC-Ukraine spoke with military personnel and long-range drone manufacturers and learned what today’s deep-strike system consists of and how it will change in the coming years. Main point: In the first half of 2026, drones struck 697 targets in the Russian Federation. A record 43% of capacity at Russian refineries was put out of service. The main difference between deep strikes and shorter-range UAVs is fuel quantity. Accordingly, the more fuel, the farther the drone flies. The flight route is prepared before launch. The military consider range, platform limitations, navigational conditions, and safety factors. In the next year or two deep-strike drones will become more autonomous. They will also become more resistant to electronic warfare and more integrated into the overall intelligence system. Deep strikes are stepping up attacks Ukrainian deep-strike capabilities have grown significantly in recent years. Open sources, including OSINT communities, note the expansion of range and scale of Ukrainian strikes on military, logistics, industrial, and energy targets on enemy territory. According to the NSDC, in 2025 Ukraine used six times more long-range drones than in 2024. Overall, deep-strike drones are a tool of strategic pressure. They allow influence not only on the front line but also on logistics, infrastructure, warehouses, production, and military facilities deep inside enemy territory. In recent years Ukraine has shown that such systems can become one of the key elements of deterrence. As RBC-Ukraine was told by the 1 Separate Drone Systems Center of the SBS, in the first half of 2026 deep-strike assets struck 697 targets in the Russian Federation and put out of service a record 43% of capacity at Russian refineries. Since the beginning of the year the number of strikes deep inside enemy territory has increased by 1150% — a result of systematic, planned capability growth. We of course do not disclose specific plans and future targets. But the work is planned; each next step continues our joint strategy, the 1 Separate Drone Systems Center of the SBS emphasized. According to center representatives, targets for strikes are determined by strategic intent. The current focus is the fuel sector and the defense industry, as well as the logistics that service them. In June we struck 11 refineries and more than 8 defense enterprises. There were only a few days when nothing was burning in the enemy’s strategic depth. Moscow burned twice in June, the military added. Read also: From Intelligence to Deep Strike. How the Drone Forces Changed the Approach to War Range of strikes is also increasing step by step. Thus, in July the 1 Separate Center of the SBS, in cooperation with other SOU units, delivered one of the most painful blows to the enemy on Russia’s largest refinery in Omsk. Omsk is 2400 kilometers in a straight line, but accounting for maneuvers Ukrainian drones covered up to 3000 kilometers, establishing an engagement zone at a Siberian distance. Scaling up is part of the overall plan to improve capabilities: we have more assets, conduct more precise reconnaissance, and shorten the preparation cycle. Everything is calculated, the 1 Separate Drone Systems Center of the SBS summarized. What helps deep strikes fly far? As Culver Aerospace CEO Oleh Krot told RBC-Ukraine, the main feature of long-range UAVs is that such drones are designed not around a short mission but around a long and complex flight profile. Photo: Ukrainian deep-strike drones have significantly increased strikes in recent years (Getty Images) Short-range drones typically prioritize simplicity, rapid preparation, cost, maneuverability, operator convenience, and operation in the tactical zone. In deep-strike systems other factors come to the fore: energy efficiency, aerodynamics, engine stability, reliability of onboard electronics, navigational robustness, manufacturing quality, predictable platform behavior over long distances, and the ability to operate under countermeasures. In other words, it’s a different class of engineering problem. A small tactical drone can be very effective at short range, but a deep-strike platform must remain a stable system for hours — in the air, in a complex environment, with limited energy resources and under many external influences. Developers of the Bars long-range drone told RBC-Ukraine that the main difference between deep strikes and shorter-range UAVs is the amount of fuel and the capacity of power elements. Accordingly, the more of these, the greater the range. DG Industry told RBC-Ukraine that most modern UAVs are created for a single specific task and thus have narrow specialization. Their Spatel drone, which can cover hundreds of kilometers one way, was from the outset developed as a universal platform that can be applied depending on unit needs. In this case the same airframe can act as an attack drone hitting targets in different control modes — manual, by specified or operationally changed coordinates — and can also act as a decoy to overload enemy air defenses or serve as a communications relay. This allows one product to cover multiple tasks without the need for separate platforms for each. RBC-Ukraine’s interviewed developers emphasize that in the modern drone war the price and availability of the finished product also matter. Mass use of long-range platforms not only increases operational effectiveness but forces the enemy to expend much more expensive air defense means on cheaper targets. Therefore today not only the characteristics of an individual UAV matter, but also the ability to produce and deploy such systems quickly and at scale. How flight routes are planned and how drones outwit electronic warfare Deep-strike drone makers agree that the steps for recording routes into UAVs depend on the platform class, mission, and specific system. Generally, deep-strike missions require advance planning. The route, flight logic, and mission parameters are prepared before launch, taking into account the target, range, platform limitations, navigational conditions, and safety factors. Manual control is more typical for tactical systems where an operator works in real time. For long-range platforms that approach has natural limitations. There autonomy, quality of mission planning, reliability of navigation, and the platform’s ability to complete tasks without constant operator involvement become more important. Photo: drone flight routes are prepared in advance (video screenshot) Overall, most long-range drones today have several route-planning solutions, and as a rule the final decision always remains with the military; the manufacturers’ task is to give them effective options. Of course, interviewed manufacturers do not disclose specific technical methods of countering electronic warfare, since that information must remain non-public. But at the principle level, fighting EW is not a single magic technology. It’s a combination of navigational robustness, correct system architecture, autonomy, quality mission planning, redundancy of critical elements, and continuous platform updates. The war has shown that EW and drones evolve in a constant adaptation race. One side finds a way to degrade a system’s effectiveness — the other changes approaches. Thus advantage is not permanent. It belongs to whoever learns faster, implements changes faster, and better integrates combat experience, CEO Oleh Krot emphasized. Ukrainian manufacturers predominantly use modern communications systems and constantly adapt these solutions to frontline conditions. What was relevant a few months ago may already need changes today. We are now seeing growing demand for UAVs with satellite communications channels, so we adapted our drones to this format of use. This allows missions to be carried out even under active EW operations, so currently their impact is not critical for our product, DG Industry added. Comprehensive testing is the key to success Culver Aerospace CEO Oleh Krot said testing both deep-strike systems and their strike mid-strike Behemoth is a multi-level process. It begins not with flight but with engineering verification of components, ground tests, checks of electronics, engine, software logic, manufacturing quality, and system stability. Then come phased flight tests: basic platform behavior, stability, range, endurance, operation of control, navigation and communications systems, and verification in more complex conditions. In combat reality it is important not only to confirm that the platform can fly. It is important to understand how it behaves in an environment where the enemy constantly adapts. Developers stress that feedback from the military is a separately important element. In Ukraine the cycle of combat use — analysis — engineering change — new iteration is much shorter than in classical defense industry. This is one reason for the high speed of Ukrainian innovations. DG Industry emphasizes that drone testing begins before the first flight. All systems are first checked in laboratory conditions. Only after that does the product move to flight testing at specialized ranges. Manufacturers stress that the path from prototype to finished product is quite long. It is necessary not only to ensure stable operation of all systems but also to refine aerodynamics, check UAV behavior under various conditions, and ensure it meets requirements. Sometimes everything looks perfect on paper, but testing shows what still needs refinement. Interviewed developers told RBC-Ukraine that sometimes tests pass with no remarks, but for the team that is not always the best scenario. The most experience is gained when weak spots are found and analyzed to understand why they occurred. Each test brings new experience and helps improve the product. That is why the military receive already verified and refined systems, not experimental samples. We have a hit! One key element of deep-strike missions is confirmation of hits. As a rule, primary ways to confirm mission effectiveness are objective control and OSINT tools. Photo: confirmations of drone hits happen by several independent means (video screenshot) Drone manufacturers say confirmation of results is always a set of sources. It can include unit data, intelligence information, open sources, photo and video materials, satellite imagery, enemy statements, secondary signs of damage, and subsequent analysis of the target. But it’s important to understand that the manufacturer is not always the party that publicly confirms a specific combat use. Such matters fall within the competence of the military, intelligence, and state bodies. Manufacturers, for their part, always analyze the technical effectiveness of systems, get feedback, and improve the product, but they cannot always publicly tie a specific item to a specific operation. This is not only a communications issue but also a security one: public confirmation can reveal extra data about tactics, means, and decision-making processes. What’s next? In recent years the evolution of deep-strike drones has been very rapid. To simplify, domestic long-range UAVs have moved from experimental and often ad hoc solutions to more mature systems now seen as part of regular defense capability. Changes have occurred in several directions. First, range has increased. Second, reliability has improved. Third, production has become more serial. Fourth, attention to EW resilience has grown significantly. Fifth, there is a more professional approach to quality, logistics, maintainability, and system updates. Read also: Moscow is burning — that’s a good thing: the Air Assault Forces revealed the impact of mid-strikes on the front line It is also important that the deep-strike segment is no longer niche. Ukraine officially speaks of scaling production of unmanned systems, including long-range drones, and the NSDC estimated Ukraine’s production capacity in the Deep Strike segment as of 2026 at about 25 billion dollars. Thus this is not just engineering ingenuity but the formation of a new defense-industrial sector. According to Culver Aerospace CEO Oleh Krot, in the next year or two deep-strike drones will become more autonomous, more resistant to EW, and more integrated into the overall intelligence and strike system. Interviewed manufacturers agree that in the coming years we should expect advances in navigation under GPS degradation and communications, as well as broader use of artificial intelligence elements to assist navigation, object recognition, mission planning, and reduce operator load. Recently the role of group employment has gradually increased, where a single drone is not an independent unit but part of a larger strike architecture. But the main change will not only be in the platform itself; it will be in organizing the process. Experts predict that winners will not be those who once created the best drone, but those who can constantly update the system, rapidly scale production, incorporate combat experience, and outpace the enemy in the adaptation cycle. Modernization does not stop. What was effective and flew a month ago now almost does not fly. We not only track but hunt for all possible world technologies and solutions. The integration of innovations is ongoing around the clock, summarized one of the drone manufacturers interviewed by RBC-Ukraine. Q&A: – Are the defense forces increasing long-range strikes on the Russian rear? – Yes, according to the NSDC, in 2025 Ukraine used six times more long-range drones than in 2024. – What are the key parameters of long-range drones? – In deep-strike systems energy efficiency, aerodynamics, engine stability, reliability of onboard electronics, navigational robustness, and manufacturing quality come to the fore. – What does testing of long-range drones consist of? – Drone testing begins before the first flight. All systems are first checked in laboratory conditions. Only after that does the product move to flight testing at specialized ranges. – How will deep-strike drones change in the future? – In the next year or two deep-strike drones will become more autonomous, more resistant to electronic warfare, and more integrated into the overall intelligence and strike system.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item ""Москва палала двічі": що стоїть за рекордними ударами українських дронів". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: RBC-Ukraine.
