Nine unmanned aerial vehicles destroyed above Brno.
In the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become a significant factor, with an increase in attacks on Russian regions since 2022. This trend can be linked to strategic, technological, and conflict-related factors.
## Timeline of UAV Attacks
The timeline of UAV attacks on Russian territories is marked by several notable incidents. In December 2022, drone attacks attributed to Ukraine targeted Russian airbases, causing explosions at Engels-2 and Dyagilevo airbases, resulting in damage to Tu-95 bombers and casualties among Russian personnel.
Fast forward to October 2024, Ukrainian drones targeted the Borisoglebsk air base in Voronezh Oblast and the Khanskaya airbase near Maykop, causing damage and fires. In June 2025, Ukraine launched "Operation Spider's Web," using drones to target several Russian air bases deep inside the country, resulting in significant damage or destruction of high-value aircraft, including strategic bombers.
June 2025 also saw a significant escalation in aerial assaults, with Ukraine's air defenses destroying nearly 4,800 Russian aerial targets, including drones, in that month alone.
## Reasons Behind the Increase in UAV Attacks
The rise in UAV attacks on Russian regions is due to several reasons. Strategically, UAVs offer a cost-effective and stealthy means for Ukraine to target Russian military assets, particularly strategic bombers used to launch attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Technological advancements have also played a role, allowing Ukraine to penetrate deep into Russian territory without risking manned aircraft, exploiting vulnerabilities in Russian air defenses.
The escalation of the conflict has led to both sides increasingly using drones to conduct attacks, resulting in a rise in UAV-related incidents on both sides of the border. Drones enable Ukraine to engage in asymmetric warfare, where the use of unconventional tactics can offset the conventional military superiority of Russia.
International support and supplies have also been crucial in bolstering Ukraine's military capabilities, potentially influencing their ability to acquire and utilize advanced drones.
Recent developments include the destruction of nine UAVs over the Bryansk region, as announced by Governor Alexander Bogomaz via his Telegram channel. The highest number of drones, 34, were shot down over the Voronezh region. However, it is important to note that Kyiv has not officially acknowledged involvement in the UAV attacks on Russia.
In August 2023, advisor to the head of the Ukrainian president's office, Mikhail Podolyak, stated that the number of UAV strikes on Russia "will increase." These attacks began in 2022 amid a special military operation in Ukraine.
Despite these attacks, there have been no reported casualties or damage as a result of the UAVs being destroyed. This ongoing situation underscores the strategic and technological significance of UAVs in modern warfare and the potential for further escalation in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
In the context of the escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine's use of drones, particularly in football-like maneuvers, has become a tactical edge, as seen in operations like "Operation Spider's Web" in June 2025. The rise in UAV attacks on Russian territories can be attributed to strategic advantages, technological enhancements, and the nature of asymmetric warfare, in which Ukraine employs unconventional tactics to counter Russia's conventional military superiority.
