Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced plans to sharply escalate drone operations against Russia, aiming for a daily strike rate of about 1,000 unmanned aircraft, up from roughly 300 at present. The move signals a deepening reliance on long-range drones against military and fuel targets.
The announcement followed a rare high-level diplomatic contact, with reports of a Moscow visit by the US CIA director for talks with Russian intelligence officials, underscoring continued behind-the-scenes efforts even as fighting intensified.
On the day of the statement, Russian strikes across the Kyiv, Sumy, Kherson and Kharkiv regions killed several people and wounded dozens. Ukraine responded with attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, including a refinery far from the front line.
Zelenskyy said deep strikes on Russian production and fuel facilities had proved highly effective in disrupting supply chains and export revenues, reflecting Kyiv’s effort to impose costs far beyond the front.
For Europe, the war’s evolving shape and the growing role of low-cost drones carry direct security implications, keeping the conflict at the centre of the continent’s strategic concerns.
