Ukraine shoots down a record 33,000 drones in March
Ukraine shoots down a record 33,000 drones in March
Kyiv says air defenses held firm as drone warfare expands, with longer-range strikes and a new air force command.
Ukraine’s defence minister said March produced a record 33,000 Russian drones shot down, the highest monthly total since Moscow’s full-scale invasion began more than four years ago. The figure underscores Ukraine’s strengthening air defenses as the war stretches into its fourth year. Alongside the drone tally, Kyiv announced the creation of a new command within the air force designed to bolster response times and coordination across interceptors, surveillance, and longer-range strikes. Officials highlighted how Ukraine’s domestically developed long-range attack drones have repeatedly struck Russian targets, including a Black Sea oil refinery and terminal in recent weeks, provoking precautionary evacuations. The ministry noted that interceptor drones, as part of a wider air-defence network, are increasingly sought by Middle Eastern and Gulf states seeking to protect assets amid regional tensions, reflecting growing international interest in Kyiv’s drone tech. Ukraine has also reported a sharp expansion in its deep-strike reach. The Defence Ministry stated that its range has more than doubled since the February 2022 invasion. Where early capabilities allowed roughly 630 kilometres, Kyiv now says it can reach up to 1,750 kilometres behind enemy lines, enabling operations against key oil installations and supply chains. The defense ministry’s figures come as the country continues to upgrade its weapons and train new personnel, including demonstrations of anti-air interceptors in the Kyiv region. A recent operation targeted the Tuapse refinery at the Black Sea port, a facility central to Russia’s fuel exports, underscoring Kyiv’s effort to disrupt Moscow’s war revenue.
