Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that over 80% of strikes carried out by Ukrainian forces against Russian targets are now executed using drones. This figure marks one of the highest official estimates regarding drone involvement in the ongoing conflict. According to Zelenskyy, the vast majority of these drones are produced domestically, reflecting Ukraine’s growing defense industry.
During an event celebrating Ukrainian drone units, Zelenskyy outlined that in the past year, approximately 820,000 targets were hit using drones. The statistic highlights the crucial role drones play in Ukraine’s military strategy, especially as the conflict continues to evolve. In earlier assessments, military officials noted that around 70% of Russian casualties were attributed to drone strikes.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the reliance on drone technology is central to future military operations. He stated, “Everything is becoming extremely dependent on how quickly we can adapt and build new technologies.” The president also mentioned a new bonus-based system that rewards drone units for successful strikes, which incentivizes the documentation of their engagements.
In December 2025 alone, Ukrainian drone units reportedly neutralized 35,000 Russian soldiers. Major Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, head of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, indicated that his units were responsible for a third of Ukraine’s battlefield hits and were inflicting an average of 388 casualties on Russian forces daily. This translates to nearly 34,900 casualties for that month.
Previously, Mykhailo Fedorov, who is now serving as Ukraine’s defense minister, estimated that up to 90% of battlefield kills in August could be attributed to drones during his time as minister for digital transformation.
Ukraine has ambitious plans to enhance its drone manufacturing capabilities, aiming to produce around 2.5 million first-person-view drones in 2025, with some estimates suggesting a potential target of up to 4.5 million. While officials have not disclosed the exact number of units produced, the focus remains on bolstering local manufacturing to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, particularly from China.
As the conflict continues, Ukraine’s strategy to leverage drone technology appears to be a pivotal element in its military operations against Russian forces. The ongoing development of this sector not only supports combat efforts but also positions Ukraine as a potential leader in drone technology in the region.
