Ukraine’s long-range drone campaign has grown into one of the most consequential elements of its war against Russia.
We joined the 1st Separate Center of Unmanned Systems on deep-strike missions to see what happens behind the launches — from assembling and transporting the drones to planning routes through Russian air defenses and carrying out the strikes themselves.
In August 2026 alone, Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck 12 major Russian oil refineries using deep-strike capabilities.
But a launch is only the tip of the iceberg. Behind every mission are days — sometimes months — of planning, logistics, intelligence, and preparation.
This is an inside look at the people and technology behind Ukraine’s long-range drone war.
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Source: UNITED24
