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Ukraine’s SBS Drones Hit 6,280 Russian Troops in 15 Days, Outpacing August Figures
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Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces reported more than 6,000 confirmed strikes on Russian personnel during the first half of September, surpassing the figure recorded over the same period in August, commander Major Robert “Madyar” Brovdi said on September 16.
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According to Brovdi, Unmanned Systems Forces units killed or incapacitated 6,280 Russian troops during the first 15 days of September, compared with 4,998 over the corresponding period in August.
Brovdi said the largest share of the reported strikes on Russian personnel was recorded in the Dobropillia, Huliaipole, and Pokrovsk sectors. Ukrainian drone units reported 1,806 such strikes in the Dobropillia sector, 1,927 in the Huliaipole sector, and 617 near Pokrovsk.
If the current pace of Russian troop deployments continues and weather conditions remain favorable for drone operations, Brovdi said the monthly figure could reach around 12,500 by the end of September. By comparison, the Unmanned Systems Forces recorded 11,010 confirmed strikes on Russian personnel throughout August.
Brovdi also said Ukrainian drone units expect operations to intensify between October and December, citing anticipated Russian efforts to deploy additional personnel.
“We expect an intensification in October–December 2026 due to the enemy’s intention to deploy an additional 300,000 personnel, which would be exactly twice the previous monthly reinforcement levels,” Brovdi said.
His assessment comes as Russia continues to sustain substantial personnel losses in Ukraine. According to Ukraine’s General Staff, Russian forces recorded 301,030 personnel killed or wounded between the beginning of 2026 and September 15.
To illustrate the scale of the reported losses, the General Staff said the figure is equivalent to the personnel strength of nearly 150 motorized rifle regiments, based on an average of roughly 2,000 troops per brigade.
The heaviest losses were recorded during the summer, when 124,170 Russian troops were reported killed or wounded between June and August. The monthly toll stood at 39,290 in June, increased to 42,860 in July, and reached 42,020 in August.
The losses continued into September, with another 20,360 Russian personnel reported killed or wounded between the beginning of the month and September 15, according to the General Staff.
As Russian battlefield losses continue to mount, Moscow is seeking to expand its military ranks. Russia could mobilize as many as 600,000 additional personnel by the end of 2027 to replenish losses and sustain manpower levels for ongoing offensive operations in Ukraine.
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