Drones
‘As long as Russia is advancing, the war will continue’— military analyst Rob Lee on what awaits Ukraine in 2025
As Ukraine entered its fourth year of Russia’s full-scale war, it was geopolitics, not the war itself, that dominated headlines, as Kyiv’s relationship with new U.S. President Donald Trump nosedived over a proposed minerals deal. In the meantime though, the battlefield continues to rage on multiple fronts,
Romania approves shooting down drones that violate its airspace
The move comes after multiple incidents in which Russian drones crashed onto Romanian territory during attacks against neighboring Ukraine.
Ukraine hits key Russian military sites in Crimea, Krasnodar Krai, General Staff says
The joint operation targeted the Saky and Kacha military airfields in occupied Crimea and Russia's Tuapse oil refinery, the military claimed on Feb. 26.
'More than 40 explosions' — HUR confirms Ukrainian drone strike on Russia's Tuapse oil refinery
Earlier on Feb. 26, Russia's Defense Ministry said 128 Ukrainian drones had been downed over the country, 83 of them in Krasnodar Krai.
Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 5, injure 36 over past day
Russian forces launched 177 drones from the Russian cities of Orel, Bryansk, Kursk, Shatalovo, Millerovo, and Primosk-Akhtarsk at Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine's Air Force.
128 Ukrainian drones attack Russia overnight, Kremlin claims, Krasnodar Krai port reportedly targeted
Residents reported explosions in the cities of Tuapse and Anapa in Krasnodar Krai, while the airport in Sochi was closed due to a drone attack.
Ukraine approves Vidmak drone system to target Russian vehicles
"These high-speed FPV drones are capable of chasing down any wheeled vehicles of the invaders," the Defense Ministry said.
Russia's Ryazan oil refinery halts operations following drone strike, Reuters reports
Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery suspended operations after a Ukrainian drone attack set its main crude distillation unit, CDU-6, on fire, Reuters reported on Feb. 24.
One person killed in drone attack on Kyiv Oblast, warehouse on fire
A 60-year-old man was killed at a railway crossing in Kyiv Oblast, amid a Russian drone attack on the region, the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration reported.
Ukraine war latest: Russia wants to declare 'victory' over Ukraine on Feb. 24, Ukrainian intel claims
Key developments on Feb. 21: * Russia wants to declare 'victory' over Ukraine on Feb. 24, Ukrainian intel claims * Zelensky is not 'important' to negotiations on ending war, Trump says * 'No appetite' for new Ukraine aid bill, US House speaker says * Trump's envoy Kellogg praises Zelensky as 'courageous leader' after talks
Ukraine launching faster drone supply model for military
According to the new model, military units will be able to choose the unmanned systems best suited to their needs. The system also aims to support manufacturers through advance orders, allowing them to plan for scaling up their production.
Ukraine war latest: Zelensky-Kellogg meeting ends with no joint statements at US request, spokesperson says
Key developments on Feb. 20: * Zelensky-Kellogg meeting ends with no joint statements at US request, spokesperson says * Starmer to pitch plan on 30,000 European peacekeepers in Ukraine to Trump, Telegraph reports * US refuses to co-sponsor UN resolution condemning Russia, resists labeling Moscow 'aggressor' in G7 statement, media report * Russia
Ukraine behind FPV goggles explosions in Russia, source claims
According to the source, HUR bought a large batch of FPV goggles for the operation and rigged them with explosives and a detonation mechanism.
Ukraine Business Roundup — Trump wants Ukraine's natural resources, and more
The following is the Feb. 18, 2025 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. Ukraine's natural resources — We'll take them all please It all seemed to be going swimmingly at first. President
Russian Shahed drones more dangerous after modifications, military intelligence reports
Significant modifications have been observed in the Shahed-136 drones that Russia mass produces, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) reported on Feb. 18.
Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 26 over past day
Russian forces launched 176 drones from the Russian cities of Orel, Bryansk, Kursk, Shatalovo, Millerovo, Primosk-Akhtarsk, and Russian-occupied Crimea at Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine's Air Force.
Ukraine’s long-awaited weapons tech investment boom is finally kicking off
Ukrainian weapons startups are finally seeing an inflow of funds from Western investors who have long been intrigued by the Ukraine's defense tech sector but have so far kept their money out of the war-torn country. Financial analysis firm Pitchbook provided the Kyiv Independent with data showing a four-fold rise
Ukraine war latest: US wants 50% of Ukraine's minerals, may deploy troops to guard them; Zelensky says nearly 250,000 Russian soldiers killed in war
Key developments on Feb. 15-16: * US wants to get 50% of Ukrainian minerals, may deploy its troops to guard them, NBC reports * Almost 250,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine war, Zelensky says * Russia must withdraw to at least pre-2022 front line, Zelensky says * Europe quietly developing plan to send
Drone strike causes blaze at Russian industrial site in Kaluga Oblast, governor claims
"On the territory of an industrial enterprise in the Dzerzhinsky district, as a result of a UAV crash, a fire broke out in one of the buildings," Governor Vladislav Shapsha reported.
Drones hit apartment building, target oil refinery in Volgograd, Russian media says
Local residents reported hearing over 15 explosions as drones targeted an oil refinery in the Krasnoarmeysky district of the city.
Ukraine war latest: Chornobyl Nuclear Plant sarcophagus hit by Russian drone; Zelensky sets out condition for talks with Putin
Key developments on Feb. 14: * Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant sarcophagus hit by Russian drone, Zelensky releases video of explosion * "Peace deal can't be signed in Munich" — Zelensky sets out condition for talks with Putin * "Crazy" Putin could attack NATO in 2026, Russia building up troops in Belarus, Zelensky says * 4,
German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems plans to double production in Ukraine
Quantum Systems, a German drone manufacturer operating two plants in Ukraine, plans to double its drone production in the country, Ukraine's Strategic Industries Ministry announced on Feb. 14.
10 Ukrainian drone makers to watch
In the three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Ukraine has almost certainly become the largest producer of drones in the Western-aligned world. Early workshop tinkering on mainly commercial Chinese drones evolved into steadily more professional and massive production of domestic unmanned aerial systems (UAVs). The industry’s rapid
German company to manufacture 6,000 AI-powered drones for Ukraine
Ukraine is set to receive 6,000 AI-powered HX-2 attack drones from the Munich-based defense technology firm Helsing.
Russia's largest steel mill reportedly targeted by 'massive' Ukrainian drone strike
The drones allegedly targeted the Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) which produces about 20% of the country's steel output, according to pro-Kremlin media outlet Shot.
'We cannot defend ourselves' — Russian drones crash, explode in Moldova during attack on Ukraine
"Russian drones and bombs are falling and exploding in our villages. And we must recognize that we cannot defend ourselves against them," Moldovan President Maia Sandu said.
3 killed, 17 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over past day
Overnight, Russia launched 124 Shahed-type combat and decoy drones, according to the Air Force. Ukrainian air defenses successfully shot down 57 drones across 11 oblasts, while 64 others were lost without causing damage.
Drone strike reportedly targets Russia's key Saratov oil refinery
"The Saratov Oil Refinery is one of the key facilities in Russia's fuel infrastructure. Its refining capacity reaches 7 million tons of oil annually," Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, said.
Ukraine war latest: Russia massing troops for new assaults in Chasiv Yar; Ukraine strikes oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai
Key developments on Feb. 10: * Russia massing troops for new assaults in Chasiv Yar, military warns * Drones reportedly target key Russian oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai * Trump claims 'progress' on ending Russia-Ukraine war, confirms contact with Putin * Ukraine approves high-speed Baton drones for battlefield deployment * Ukraine to receive Patria 6x6
Ukraine approves high-speed Baton drones for battlefield deployment
The Baton drones are designed to meet military requirements for simplicity and reliability in difficult battlefield conditions.
Czech authorities investigating allegations of unauthorized drone shipments to Ukraine
According to media outlet Aktualne.cz, members of Skupina D are suspected of supplying drones to Ukraine, possibly with the involvement of Czech military personnel, without authorization from the parliament.
The Counteroffensive: Inside Ukraine's historic first all-drone assault on Russian positions
Editor’s Note: This article was published by the twice-weekly newsletter “The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak” on Feb. 8, 2025, and has been re-published by the Kyiv Independent with permission. To subscribe to The Counteroffensive, click here. Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine — In the early hours of December 2024, as the sun
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