Game-changing drone arsenal reaches terrifying milestone, Ukraine warns

Ukraine’s armed forces have promised each and every Russian troop within its borders a “fiery gift” as a terrifying milestone is reached.

WARNING: Distressing content

Ukraine’s armed forces have promised every Russian soldier within its borders a “fiery gift” while boasting a new milestone for its feared rough-and-ready drone arsenal.

On Thursday morning, the official X account of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine published a video montage of drone attacks on Russian soldiers and armoured vehicles.

“Ukraine’s annual production capacity is up to 4 million drones so that every invader will get its ‘fiery gift’,” the account wrote.

Ukraine's annual production capacity is up to 4 million drones, so every invader will get its "fiery gift".

📹: 68th Jaeger Brigade pic.twitter.com/5qsnlteCdg

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) October 2, 2024

Techno music and a GIF inset of a man dancing played over the violent footage, capturing likely deaths of many Russian troops.

Drone warfare has become a bleak signature of the conflict with Russian efforts also reaching a peak of daily strikes against Ukraine in September for the first time since fighting began.

Ukrainian forces have been using drones extensively against Russian troops since the beginning of the incursion.

Ukrainian Drones stalk and destroy Russian ground units. Picture: Defence of Ukraine/ X

Cheap Ukrainian Drones stalk and destroy Russian ground units. Picture: Defence of Ukraine/ X

Ukraine initially relied on larger, expensive drones like the Turkish Bayraktar TB2, which carried multiple air-to-ground munitions, to target Russian air defences and armoured vehicles.

But as Russian air defence systems improved, Ukraine began using smaller, more agile drones that are harder to detect and shoot down at a fraction of the operational costs.

Ukrainian forces have widely adopted drones since the Russian incursion, transitioning from expensive models like the Bayraktar TB2 (Pictured) to smaller, more cost-effective drones. Picture: Getty Images

One key innovation that has become a trademark of Ukraine campaign has been the use of relatively low-cost, entry-level FPV (First-Person View) drones.

Designed to be used by hobbyists for recreational purposes, Ukrainian forces have been retrofitting these FPV drones with explosives for precision strikes.

Many even film the grim demise of their Russian targets, with countless such videos making their way onto social media.

Ukraine’s use of retrofitted FPV drones has become a hallmark of their drone campaign, allowing for precision strikes at low cost. Picture: AFP

These drones are inexpensive, often crowdfunded by civilians, and allow Ukraine to target Russian troops and equipment at close range.

Their small size and low cost have made them ideal for Ukraine’s ongoing efforts, as they can be deployed in large numbers with minimal logistic support.

Ukraine’s drone program has proliferated as a result.

In addition to smaller models, Ukraine has developed, and been supplied with, new long-range drones capable of reaching Russian territory, allowing it to strike targets beyond the front lines.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has given a nod to the crucial role drones play in bringing the war back to Russian territory.

Ukraine has also developed long-range drones to strike Russian territory, with President Zelensky emphasising that these attacks bring war back to Russia. Picture: AFP

Putin has condemned Ukraine’s drone strikes, accusing Kyiv of targeting civilians. Picture: AFP

After Ukrainian drones were used in attacks on Moscow, Zelensky warned that such operations signal that “war is coming back to Russia,” after the Kremlin accused Kyiv of targeting Moscow with drones with a series of attacks last year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned Ukraine’s drone attacks on Moscow, accusing Kyiv of deliberately targeting civilians in an attempt to “frighten” citizens.

At the 20th Annual Meeting of Yalta European Strategy a fortnight ago, a commander of a special drone unit alluded to further developments when he mentioned that Ukraine may soon no longer require pilots for its drone force.

A view of a damaged office block of the Moscow International Business Center (Moskva City) following a reported drone attack in Moscow on July 30, 2023. Picture: AFP

According to Robert Brovdi, the founder and commander of the “Madyar’s Birds” special drone unit, Ukraine’s drone force could transition to AI systems in as little as six months.

He said the unmanned aerial vehicles would be “pilotless, completely without any operators.”

Russian drone campaign hits daily amid ‘frigid winter’

However it’s far from a one sided affair in Ukraine’s favour.

Russia’s drone assault on Ukraine has intensified dramatically, reaching a new peak in late September.

Russia’s drone assault on Ukraine has intensified, with over 1,300 Shahed drones used in late September, posing a severe threat to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Picture: AFP

Over 1,300 Shahed long-range drones were reported far surpassing previous months, Forbs uncovered.

For the first time, drone attacks were recorded every single day, according to data from ShahedTracker, with many targeting Ukraine’s already crippled energy infrastructure.

There are growing indications that other types of drones, possibly supplied by China, are also being used.

While many drones are intercepted, some cause significant damage. Experts warn that Russian drone strikes could lead to Ukraine’s most brutal winter yet, with Ukraine’s power infrastructure already severely damaged.

As The Washington Post’s Ukraine correspondent reported this week: “The best-case scenario is just four hours of power cuts a day, but it could also end up being 20 hours of darkness or more a day in the depths of Ukraine’s frigid winter.”