Ukrainian drones can reach targets 1,800 km deep in Russia — Ukraine’s intelligence chief

Ukrainian drones are now capable of striking targets within the Russian Federation at distances of up to 1,800 kilometers, posing a threat to Russian infrastructure supporting the war effort.

Rubryka reports, citing Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence at Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, via a post on Facebook.

Ukraine celebrates Military Intelligence Day on September 7. This professional holiday, established by a presidential decree in 2022, recognizes the vital role of military intelligence in safeguarding the country's national interests. In the face of open Russian aggression, Ukraine relies on its intelligence services to provide timely, accurate, and reliable information to help its leadership make critical decisions regarding national security.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) at Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, congratulated servicemen on Military Intelligence Day. He highlighted that Ukrainian intelligence operations have demonstrated that the Black Sea is not under Russian control.

Budanov noted that advancements in unmanned systems, developed by GUR specialists, now enable strikes on Russian military targets up to 1,800 kilometers away. He pointed out that military airfields, which pose a constant threat to Ukrainian cities, are being targeted effectively. According to Budanov, Russia's war infrastructure has already sustained, and will continue to sustain, damage as a consequence of their unprovoked aggression against Ukraine.

Additionally, Budanov praised the cyber specialists of the State Security Service for their successful operations over the past year. These specialists have managed to infiltrate enemy databases and identify vulnerabilities in communication systems, securing valuable intelligence in the process.

Budanov emphasized that active units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are continuously engaged in complex combat tasks both on the front lines and behind enemy lines. These tasks include repelling enemy attacks, evacuating the wounded, rescuing defenders and civilians from Russian captivity, and facilitating the return of Ukrainian citizens from conflict zones.

President Zelensky expressed gratitude to Ukrainian military scouts for their crucial role in inflicting significant losses on the enemy and weakening its capabilities. In a Facebook post, Zelenskyy acknowledged the vital contributions of those gathering critical intelligence, highlighting their efforts in protecting Ukraine and its people. He praised their achievements and reaffirmed pride in the accomplishments of Ukraine's military intelligence.

Weapons of Ukrainian production

Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine has significantly ramped up its weapons production. Ukrainian experts have made notable advances in drone technology, developing new attack and reconnaissance drones. Additionally, naval drones have been created, which are effectively used to target Russian ships and maritime assets.

Recently, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the successful deployment of a domestically developed missile-drone, named Palianytsia. He highlighted that this is just one of many innovations from Ukraine's defense sector.