Ukraine Uses New Drones and Tactics to Slow Russian Advances
Ukrainian forces have increased strikes on Russian logistics targets 20 to 300 kilometers behind the front line. The changes coincide with a reported drop in Russian daily advances and a shift toward capturing more ground than losing for the first time since 2023.
Ukrainian units have expanded the use of medium-range drones to strike Russian supply depots, vehicles, and air-defense sites farther from the immediate front. Officials said the strikes aim to disrupt movement of troops and ammunition along routes such as the M-14 highway that links occupied Crimea with Russia.
The reported increase in hits beyond 20 kilometers is twice the March level and four times the February level, according to statements from Ukrainian officials. Defense officials described the effort as a "logistics lockdown" and said more than $110 million has been allocated to sustain it.
Ukraine previously relied on short-range first-person-view drones near the line of contact and long-range drones for deep strikes inside Russia. Newer systems now fill the 20-to-300-kilometer band, allowing attacks on targets previously considered low-risk by Russian forces.
A Ukrainian territorial-defense official stated that delivery times for Russian armaments to the front have lengthened and that areas once viewed as safe are now exposed. The same official noted the psychological effect on Russian logistics personnel.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War wrote that Ukraine is capturing more territory than it is losing for the first time since 2023. The same assessment said Russian daily advances have fallen sharply compared with last year while Russian casualties per kilometer gained have risen.
Ukrainian commanders stated that 2025 has been Russia's most difficult year since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Officials added that improved battlefield-management tools and revised training programs have contributed to more deliberate targeting decisions.
