Ukraine has gained the upper hand in the drone war: 350+ medium-range strikes are slowing the Russian offensive
Russian sources are already reporting a "critical" situation: 143 logistics facilities, 52 command posts, and 20 oil and gas infrastructure facilities have been hit
Ukrainian forces have gained a noticeable advantage in the use of drones on the front, which is already affecting the course of hostilities; the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) drew attention to the intensification of strikes from late 2025 to early 2026.
The changes in the balance of capabilities are discussed in ISW’s analytical assessment, published in their daily report: link.
According to ISW observations, Ukraine has significantly ramped up a medium-range strike campaign against Russian logistics, equipment, and personnel: 41 such strikes were recorded in January, 61 in February, and 115 in March, which complicates Russian forces’ advances and slows their plans for the spring–summer period of 2026.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that in March alone Ukrainian drone systems conducted more than 11 000 combat sorties per day and struck more than 150 000 targets — about 50% more than in February.
Detailing the results, Oleksandr Syrskyi provided consolidated figures for medium-range strikes.
“Ukrainian forces carried out more than 350 medium-range strikes, including on 143 Russian logistical facilities and depots, 52 command posts and 20 oil and gas infrastructure facilities”
Even in the Russian public space there have been acknowledgements of the changes: according to pro-Kremlin sources, Russian Defense Minister Andriy Bilousov allegedly reported to Vladimir Putin that Ukraine has a “significant technological advantage” in the drone war, and that the situation for Russian forces is “critical.”
ISW notes that such claims cannot be independently verified, but overall Ukraine’s technological lead is increasingly shaping the course of the war, altering the balance of forces and undermining Russia’s offensive intentions.
Earlier we wrote:
- The Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed a bridge with drones for the first time: 30 sorties, 1.5 tons of explosives
- Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s “trinity”, seriously disrupting the flow of Siberian oil
- Successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the south complicated Russia’s plans — ISW
- Up to 1,000 “Shahed” per day: Syrskyi warned of an escalation of Russia’s plans for 2026
- Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi: the situation is difficult but controlled
