Ukrainian drones push the limits with deep strikes in Russia
The Russian military airfield "Orenburg-2," located over 1,000 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, became the target of a drone attack, as confirmed by local authorities and recordings published on social media. The region's governor, Yevgeny Solntsev, claims that Russian air defences shot down all drones.
The Ukrainian service Militarny points out that this is the first such attack on the "Orenburg-2" airfield, located at the edge of "European" Russia, where the 117th Military Transport Regiment and the 7th Engineering and Airfield Battalion are stationed. It also reports that during the night of April 8-9, drones attempted to attack the military airfield in Mozdok, North Ossetia.
Ukrainian drones strike deep into Russia
Meanwhile, in the Saratov region, in Engels, an explosion occurred near the base of Russian strategic bombers. In the Penza region, drones attacked the Serdobsky district, where a missile arsenal is located. The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed an attack by nearly 160 drones on various areas of the country, which lasted 10 hours. According to the Russians, most of the drones were shot down over the Krasnodar Krai, Rostov Oblast, and North Ossetia.
Despite limited resources, Ukraine has managed to create its long-range drone arsenal, which today is an essential element of deterrence and precision attacks on targets located even hundreds of kilometres deep into Russian territory.
One of the more recognizable Ukrainian long-range strike drones is the design known as "Bóbr". This drone has loitering munition characteristics and has been used in attacks on Moscow, Belgorod, and military facilities deep in Russia. Its range is estimated at over 700 kilometres, although some sources suggest that in modified versions it may even exceed 1,000 kilometres.
This drone moves at a speed of about 145–200 kilometres per hour. Its design resembles a compact aircraft with a piston engine, allowing for a relatively long flight and high precision of strikes. Bóbr is equipped with a warhead weighing several dozen kilograms, and its targets are typically radar stations, fuel depots, ammunition warehouses, and energy infrastructure.
Another critical design is the drone called the UJ-22 Airborne, produced by the company UkrJet. This machine resembles a miniaturized reconnaissance-strike aircraft, which can carry a warhead weighing about 20 kilograms and achieve a range exceeding 800 kilometres. This drone was designed as a multi-purpose platform, capable of conducting reconnaissance missions and serving as a precision weapon.
The UJ-22 has an autopilot, a GPS, and a camera system that enables real-time video transmission. Importantly, its design allows it to launch both from a catapult and a runway, increasing its operational flexibility.
