Russia faces accelerated drone assaults from Ukraine prior to the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, the intensity of Ukrainian drone strikes deep into Russian territory has seen a significant rise. This escalation comes as both nations continue to report high volumes of drone activity and interceptions.
According to reports, Russia has claimed to have shot down approximately 1,337 to 1,740 Ukrainian long-range drones in August, with a daily average ranging from 96 to 121 drones intercepted each day. Conversely, Ukraine reports that Russia has launched about 1,344 drones in August so far, intercepting or suppressing around 70% (about 70 drones) of 100 drones launched overnight into Monday morning, according to Ukrainian Air Force data.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported shooting down 1,337 Ukrainian drones by August 11, with a daily average of more than 121 drones shot down per day in August. Other Russian Ministry claims suggest downing 1,740 Ukrainian drones for August, with around 96 drones shot down daily on average. Ukraine, on the other hand, states that Russia launched around 1,344 drones in August up to August 18, averaging about 74 drones per day. Of drones launched overnight into Monday morning, Ukraine intercepted or suppressed 70 of 100 Russian drones.
It is worth noting that neither side releases full numbers of drones launched—only claims of interceptions or shootdowns are publicly available. This lack of transparency makes it challenging to establish a clear picture of the drone war's scale.
Amidst this escalation, President Zelenskyy of Ukraine has stated that Russia is prolonging the war and therefore deserves stronger pressure from the world. He also emphasised that any negotiations with Russia must include Ukraine and that Russia's demands constitute an attempt to "partition Ukraine." Zelenskyy swiftly rejected the proposal, stating that Ukraine "will not give Russia any awards for what it has done" and that "Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier."
The drone war has not been one-sided, with at least 9 drones reportedly shot down en route to Moscow. Russia also reported downing 59 Ukrainian drones overnight into Monday. Temporary flight restrictions were imposed on airports in Penza, Nizhny Novgorod, Kaluga, Volgograd, and Saratov due to the attacks.
In a statement from the White House, Trump suggested a settlement could include "some swapping of territories." However, Kyiv has made it clear that it will not officially cede any territory, accept limitations on its armed forces, or jettison its ambitions to join NATO and the European Union, according to Zelenskyy.
Despite the escalation in drone strikes, it appears that the daily average of Russian strikes on Ukraine has eased somewhat in August compared to July, when Russia claimed to have shot down 3,008 Ukrainian drones. This suggests that, while the drone war between Ukraine and Russia continues to intensify, there may be signs of a potential de-escalation in Russian aggression towards Ukraine.
[1] BBC News. (2025). Ukraine-Russia conflict: Drone war intensifies ahead of Trump-Putin meeting. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58685403
[2] The Guardian. (2025). Ukraine-Russia conflict: Drone war intensifies as both sides report high volumes of activity. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/18/ukraine-russia-conflict-drone-war-intensifies-as-both-sides-report-high-volumes-of-activity
- Despite the ongoing drone war between Ukraine and Russia, international politics suggests a potential de-escalation in Russian aggression towards Ukraine, as the daily average of Russian strikes on Ukraine has eased somewhat in August compared to July.
- The intensification of the drone war between the two nations, along with political developments and general news surrounding the Ukraine-Russia conflict, have prompted President Zelenskyy to emphasize that any negotiations with Russia should involve Ukraine and address Russia's attempts to "partition Ukraine."
