Ukraine Holds the World Record for the Longest One-Way Drone Strike in History

Ukraine is actively using drones for deep strikes, targeting Russian factories that produce components for the military-industrial complex. Other objectives include military plants, airfields, and depots of equipment and ammunition. This industry barely existed in Ukraine just three years ago, yet today the country is among the global leaders in long-range drone warfare. A testament to this achievement is what has been confirmed as the longest recorded one-way drone strike.

1,800+ kilometers and counting

In a historic first, Ukraine carried out a record-breaking drone strike that reached over 1,800 kilometers (1,118 miles), targeting a Russian over-the-horizon radar station known as “Voronezh-M” near Orsk, in the Orenburg region. While it is located 1,800 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, the drone likely traveled even farther, as launches typically occur from secure positions well behind the front line.

Such long-range strikes have become routine for Ukraine. In the winter and spring of 2025, Kyiv conducted dozens of attacks on Russian oil refineries located more than 800–1,000 kilometers from the line of contact. The situation became so critical that refinery managers reportedly began ordering their own air defense systems.

The scalability of long-range drone strikes represents Ukraine’s strategic response to a shortage of long-range missiles. Systems like the Storm Shadow / SCALP have limited range and are supplied in small quantities. The same goes for ATACMS, of which only a few have been delivered. Ukraine has yet to receive TAURUS missiles or extended-range JASSMs (which can reach up to 1,000 km). Long-range drones remain the only viable method to hit strategic targets deep inside Russian territory that could disrupt its offensive capabilities.

As part of this effort, Ukraine launched Operation Spiderweb—a wave of coordinated long-range drone strikes meant to stretch Russian air defenses and hit critical infrastructure in parallel.

Now, Ukraine holds the record for the longest recorded one-way drone strike, with a range exceeding 1,800 kilometers. Officials in Kyiv have also announced plans to develop drones capable of flying up to 3,000 kilometers. The main goal is to be able to strike Russia’s most remote facilities, such as airfields hosting strategic bombers. In parallel, Ukraine is developing its own ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 1,000 kilometers to achieve similar effects.

Does Ukraine have competitors in the longest one-way drone strike?

On paper, several countries have such capabilities. For instance, Iran’s Shahed drones—widely used by Russia—can theoretically fly up to 2,500 kilometers. However, in practice, Russia typically launches them close to the Ukrainian border, where they loiter over cities before striking civilian targets. As a result, there are no verified long-range strikes of comparable scale.

American drones, such as the MQ-9 Reaper, also have long flight ranges—up to 1,900 kilometers—but this figure refers to their full operational range, including return. Unlike one-way strike drones, these are reusable platforms designed to carry armaments, not to be expended in a single attack.

Long-range drones face several key limitations that make them less effective than missiles. First, their speed is typically only 150–400 km/h, many times slower than ballistic missiles and two to three times slower than cruise missiles. Second, their warheads are relatively small because more space must be reserved for fuel to cover vast distances. Most long-range drones also lack stealth features and are vulnerable to electronic warfare and air defense systems. In contrast, expensive missiles often incorporate counter-EW technologies and stealth capabilities.

Still, drones offer notable advantages, especially their relatively low cost and simplified production. Ukraine has managed to scale up from zero to producing hundreds of long-range drones per month. Reports of strikes on military targets deep inside Russian territory now surface almost daily.

Ingenuity and precision have become Ukraine’s defining advantages in a war against a larger adversary. As a result, Ukraine now holds the record for the longest sniper kill, the longest confirmed artillery strike in active combat, and the longest one-way drone strike in history. Ukraine also endured the longest sustained battle of the 21st century and fielded Challenger tanks, renowned for achieving the longest tank kill ever recorded.

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