Ukraine Aims to Launch 1,000 Long-Range Drones Daily at Russian Targets

Ukraine is set to scale up its output of long-range aerial drones to 1,000 units per day, up from the current daily average of about 300 units.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined this objective on August 28 following a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff, where officials discussed expanding air defenses and shielding the country from Russian strikes.

President Zelenskyy noted that long-range operations are disrupting economic stability and supply networks across Russia, cutting into domestic petrol reserves and export volumes.

Expanding long-range capabilities is designed to increase economic pressure on Russia if it chooses to prolong Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and decline peace talks.

Ukrainian officials also emphasized the need to accelerate the manufacturing of interceptor drones to counter jet-powered Shahed attack drones recently deployed in higher volumes.

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War in Ukraine

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Reuters reported in late August that Russian petrol production dropped to approximately 80,000 metric tons per day against an internal requirement of roughly 115,000 metric tons. The resulting shortfall led several regions across Russia to reintroduce restrictions on fuel sales.

Ukraine systematically targeted Russia's oil refineries, striking all 11 of the country's largest facilities to erode the Kremlin's financial foundation.

The campaign disabled over 40% of Russia's refining capacity, creating severe domestic fuel shortages and forcing Moscow to import petrol while selling discounted crude oil abroad.

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