Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that over 80% of successful strikes against Russian forces are now executed using drones. This statistic marks one of the highest official estimates regarding the role of drones in the ongoing conflict. During an awards ceremony recognizing the efforts of drone units, Zelenskyy emphasized the significance of these unmanned aerial vehicles in modern warfare.
According to Zelenskyy’s office, Ukrainian forces struck approximately 820,000 targets with drones in 2025 alone. The president noted that a significant majority of these drones are produced locally, underscoring Ukraine’s efforts to enhance its domestic defense capabilities. He stated, “Each of these strikes is recorded, which helps not only with hit verification but also with the operation of the bonus-based system for assessing military performance.” This system rewards drone operators for documenting their engagements on camera.
Zelenskyy highlighted that while infantry and artillery remain vital components of Ukraine’s military, the effectiveness of operations increasingly hinges on the rapid adaptation and development of new technologies. He mentioned, “Our bonus-based electronic points system is working to scale up the results of our defense.” In December, Ukrainian forces reportedly achieved a significant milestone by neutralizing 35,000 Russian combatants.
In a recent statement, Maj. Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, indicated that his units are responsible for one-third of Ukraine’s drone strikes. He reported an average of 388 Russian soldiers incapacitated daily in December, translating to approximately 34,900 casualties for that month alone. This data aligns with previous assertions made by Mykhailo Fedorov, who, while serving as the Minister for Digital Transformation, claimed that up to 90% of battlefield kills in August could be attributed to drones.
In response to the growing demand for drone warfare technology, Ukraine has set ambitious production targets. Last year, officials aimed to manufacture around 2.5 million first-person-view drones, with some estimates suggesting a potential capacity of up to 4.5 million. While the exact number of drones produced in 2025 remains undisclosed, Ukraine is aggressively expanding its local manufacturing sector to reduce reliance on foreign supplies, particularly from Chinese manufacturers.
This strategic pivot reflects Ukraine’s broader goal of enhancing its military capabilities while ensuring a sustainable supply of advanced technology. As the conflict continues, the reliance on drones as a critical tool for combat operations is likely to grow, shaping the future landscape of warfare in the region.
