Ukraine Launches Over 54,000 Drone Strikes on Russian Targets in December, Half Using FPV Suicide Drones

Ukrainian forces conducted over 54,000 drone strikes on Russian positions in December, nearly half of these attacks—49%—utilized suicide drones, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi on January 5.

Russia introduced an increasing number of drones equipped with fiber-optic control channels, which present a significant threat to Ukrainian military equipment during maneuvers, Syrskyi said.

In response, Ukrainian forces have begun deploying fiber-optic FPV drones, which enhance their ability to destroy Russian equipment and personnel more effectively.

Syrskyi also briefed on the latest technological advancements in unmanned systems and electronic warfare, emphasizing their critical role in countering Russian innovations on the battlefield.

“We are expanding the number of brigades with enhanced unmanned capabilities,” Syrskyi stated. “We are also finalizing the concept and structure of a specialized unmanned systems brigade.”

Earlier, the Ukrainian Navy targeted two Russian $15 million “Pantsir-S1” and OSA-AKM air defense systems in the Kherson region using FPV drones.