Russia is relying on drones to bring it victory in Ukraine
Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine in four years using 73 missiles and 656 drones, killing at least 21 people, as retaliation for a Ukrainian strike on a Luhansk vocational school. The Russian military is rapidly expanding drone production—aiming for 7.3 million FPV drones and 7.8 million warheads by year-end—while facing labor shortages and funding constraints in its broader defense sector.
Russia conducted its largest aerial strike on Ukraine since the start of Vladimir Putin’s invasion, launching 73 missiles and 656 drones overnight from Monday into Tuesday. The attack killed at least 21 people and injured dozens, with the Russian Ministry of Defense claiming it was retaliation for a Ukrainian strike on a vocational school in the occupied region of Luhansk on May 22. The Russian aircraft sector has seen explosive growth, with output rising 117% in April compared to the previous year, according to the Russian Federal Statistics Service. Ukraine’s armed forces chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated Russia plans to produce 7.3 million first-person view drones and 7.8 million warheads for unmanned aerial vehicles by the end of 2024, equating to roughly 20,000 drones daily if targets are met. To support this surge, Russia established the Unmanned Systems Forces (VBS) in November 2023, a new military branch dedicated to drone warfare. The VBS already numbers nearly 120,000 personnel and aims to grow to 230,000 by 2030, with plans to recruit 78,800 more this year alone. Drones have reshaped the conflict, offering Russia a cost-effective way to strike deep behind enemy lines while minimizing risk to its own troops. However, the shift toward drone warfare reflects broader challenges, including labor shortages and funding restrictions in Russia’s defense sector despite the economy being shifted to a war footing. Ukraine has also faced severe civilian infrastructure damage, including disrupted heating and electricity over the winter due to targeted attacks on power plants. Despite the Kremlin’s drone-focused strategy, analysts suggest it signals deeper struggles in sustaining conventional military operations.
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