{"id":626516,"date":"2026-10-15T23:56:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T20:56:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/korabelov.info\/2026\/10\/626516\/ai-drones-against-russian-airports-a-large-scale-plan-still-awaiting-zelenskyy-s-approval\/"},"modified":"2026-10-16T00:27:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T21:27:42","slug":"ai-drones-against-russian-airports-a-large-scale-plan-still-awaiting-zelenskyy-s-approval","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/korabelov.info\/en\/2026\/10\/626516\/ai-drones-against-russian-airports-a-large-scale-plan-still-awaiting-zelenskyy-s-approval\/","title":{"rendered":"AI drones against Russian airports: a large-scale plan still awaiting Zelenskyy\u2019s approval"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ukraine<\/strong> is working on a new tactic for the mass deployment of long-range drones equipped with artificial intelligence. Under the secret M&Ms<\/strong> operation, strikes on Russia\u2019s<\/strong> airports, including those in Moscow<\/strong>, are being considered. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/strong> has not yet approved the most ambitious version of the plan \u2014 no final decision has been made to proceed with such attacks.<\/p>\n

The first version of the plan was presented to the president in early 2026<\/strong>. It called for launching up to a thousand drones<\/strong> a day toward Moscow\u2019s airports, which could effectively paralyze civilian air traffic. At the time, Zelenskyy<\/strong> judged the proposed tactic too risky.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the president authorized Ukraine\u2019s<\/strong> Defense Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov<\/strong>, to continue developing specialized drones for the operation. A key requirement was to minimize the risk to passengers on civilian aircraft.<\/p>\n

According to the developers, the new drones are designed to bypass Russian air defenses and strike targets within the airports of Moscow<\/strong> and other cities. Artificial intelligence is expected to help them match terrain maps, identify targets, and choose the moment to attack.<\/p>\n

The first tests of these systems under combat conditions were reportedly carried out in mid-September<\/strong>: several drones<\/strong> were used against targets in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk Oblast<\/strong>. Mass use of such drones against Russian airports has not yet begun.<\/p>\n

The developers say production of the new drones is underway and the capabilities of Ukrainian forces are gradually growing. According to one of the developers<\/strong>, production volumes are expected to increase substantially in the near future.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have already stepped up their air campaign against Russia<\/strong>. Since October 8<\/strong>, at least four Russian data centers<\/strong> have come under attack. Last week, the threat of drones forced Russian authorities to cancel 345 flights<\/strong> at Moscow airports simultaneously. Two Ukrainian specialists<\/strong> involved in developing the campaign describe the current actions as only the beginning.<\/p>\n

So far, Ukraine\u2019s long-range drones have mainly posed a threat in Russian airspace, prompting airports to temporarily suspend operations. Civilian airports have not been directly attacked. The appearance of drones near Moscow<\/strong> forces authorities to suspend flights, close runways, and cancel services.<\/p>\n

During a recent incident in Sochi<\/strong>, debris from a downed Ukrainian drone reportedly fell onto the airport grounds. The result was a fire in an administrative building.<\/p>\n

One<\/strong> of Zelenskyy\u2019s<\/strong> advisers explains the current approach as a way to create serious difficulties for Russian aviation without directly striking passenger aircraft.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be piracy. The president does not want to allow that,\u201d said a source involved in preparing the operation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

On September 1<\/strong>, Zelenskyy<\/strong> warned international airlines about the dangers of flying in Russian airspace. At that point, Ukraine<\/strong> did not have enough specialized drones to paralyze Moscow\u2019s airports for an extended period.<\/p>\n

After the warning, airlines responded in different ways:<\/p>\n