Kyiv surpasses Russia in drone warfare for first time, data show

March data suggest a possible shift in the dynamics of the war between Ukraine and Russia. Kyiv surpassed Moscow for the first time in the number of cross-border drone strikes in a single month, according to available data.

The Russian defence ministry reported that it shot down 7,347 Ukrainian drones, an average of 237 per day. Ukraine also faced more than 6,000 Russian drones and dozens of missiles, the highest monthly figure since the war began, according to ABC News.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long stressed the need to bolster domestic capabilities, with relatively cheap drones playing a key role.

Ukraine is increasingly targeting strategic sites in Russia, particularly oil infrastructure, which it sees as a source of funding for the war. However, the escalation in drone attacks increases the risk of the conflict spreading beyond Ukraine.

(pir)