Дрони

UK, NATO Allies to Deliver 30,000 New Drones to Ukraine in Major Military Aid Boost

In a significant show of support, the UK and its NATO allies have agreed to supply Ukraine with 30,000 new drones, as part of a major military aid package. The announcement was made by UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Latvian Defence Minister Artis Pabriks during a meeting of the Defence Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Thursday, January 9.

The delivery of the drones, valued at £45 million (approximately $55.3 million), will follow the conclusion of contracts by an international coalition led by the UK and Latvia. The funding for these new drones comes from contributions by the UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Latvia, and Sweden.

This latest pledge underscores the ongoing commitment of the UK and its allies to support Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression. The 30,000 drones are expected to bolster Ukraine’s aerial surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, providing vital intelligence on the battlefield.

The UK has been at the forefront of providing military aid to Ukraine, having already supplied weapons, ammunition, and other equipment to help the country defend itself. This latest donation of drones further reinforces the UK’s dedication to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The delivery of the drones is expected to take place in the coming months, as the international coalition works to finalize the necessary contracts and logistics. As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, the UK and its allies remain steadfast in their commitment to providing the support needed to help Ukraine defend itself.

Breaking: Russian Drone Activity Increasingly Targets Ukraine’s Northern Regions

In a tense night of aerial activity, Ukraine’s military reports a surge in Russian drone incursions across the northern regions of the country.

22:06 – Initial Activity

Military sources confirm that at 22:06, hostile drones were spotted:

• Moving southwest in the northern regions of Chernihiv Oblast.
• Heading west in groups in Sumy Oblast.
• Flying northward in Kharkiv Oblast.

22:48, 22:55 – Drones and New Ingressions

By 22:48, drones had been tracked in:

• North of Chernihiv, southwest-bound.
• North of Sumy, moving eastward.

At 22:55, a new wave of strike drones was detected entering Sumy Oblast, heading west.

23:41 – Expanding Activity

As of 23:41, drones were seen:

• In Chernihiv, moving southwest.
• In groups on the north and south of Sumy, heading west and south, respectively.

0:14 – "Shahed" Drones Join

At 0:14, "Shahed" drones were reported:

• In groups across northern Sumy and Chernihiv, heading west, south towards Poltava, and southwest.

1:07 – 30 Hostile Drones In Air

Monitoring channels indicate around 30 hostile strike drones active in Ukraine’s airspace at 1:07.

1:19 – Widening Threat

By 1:19, drones were moving towards:

• Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kyiv Oblasts.
• Harbouring threat to Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Poltava Oblasts.

1:21 – Kyiv Clocks Air Raid Sirens

The Ukrainian capital sounds air raid sirens at 1:21 as enemy strike drones approach.

1:48, 2:51 – Multiple Tows and Threats

At 1:48, drones were tracked across several Oblasts, threatening multiple directions.

Another update at 2:51 reveals drones moving:

• Across northern and eastern Sumy, Chernihiv, and northern Kyiv, with groups threatening towards Poltava, Kyiv, and Kharkiv regions.

3:13, 3:32, 3:40 – Kyiv Under Threat Twice More

Kyiv sounds air raid sirens again at 3:13, and by 3:40 drones threaten Chernihiv, Kyiv, Poltava, and Kharkiv regions anew.

4:51 – Shifting Drones

At 4:51, drones adjusted trajectories, threatening northern Kyiv, northern Poltava, and southern Kharkiv.

5:25, 5:45, 5:59 – Kyiv’s Third Air Raid Alert

Kyiv sounds its sirens once more at 5:25. By 5:45, "Shahed" drones were detected threatening Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and further south.

6:42 – Owngoing Drones

As of 6:42, drones were active over Kyiv and Zhytomyr Oblasts.

6:40 – Air Alarm Map Update

At 06:40, Ukraine’s air alarm map reflects ongoing threats across the country.

Source: Ukraine’s military updates

Breaking News: Russian Propagandist Dead After Drone Strike in Eastern Ukraine

A Russian propaganda filmmaker, Denis Martemyanov, has been killed in a drone strike in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, which is currently under Russian control. The incident occurred along the Donetsk-Gorlovka highway, according to reports.

Martemyanov was reportedly returning from Gorlovka when his car was hit by the drone. In the vehicle with him were four other employees of propaganda media outlets. Two of them, Maxim Romanenko and Mikhail Khevkhiev from Russian news agency RIA Novosti, were injured, along with Svetlana Larina and Izabella Liberman from the DNR-based "Blocknote Donyetsk".

Russian media outlet "Izvestia" initially reported that Martemyanov was killed in a drone attack by the Ukrainian military, stating that his civilian vehicle was targeted. However, neither Russia nor its supports have provided any concrete evidence to substantiate this claim.

Interestingly, Mariya Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and various Russian propaganda outlets have swiftly blamed Ukraine for the incident. Yet, no evidence has been presented from the Russian side to substantiate these accusations.

This is not the first time Martemyanov has been targeted. In October 2023, he was injured in the legs during an exchange of fire near Donetsk.

The international community awaits further details and evidence regarding the circumstances of this tragic event as the conflict in Ukraine continues to unfold.

Urgent: FPV Drones and Constant Strikes plague Pidhora (Pokrovsk) as Residents Urged to Evacuate

The situation in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pidhora (Pokrovsk) has deteriorated significantly over the past 48 hours, with intense shelling and a sharp increase in FPV drone activity causing concern and endangering civilians.

"Especially over the last two days, the situation in Pidhora has been very heavy," said Pavlo Vysheba, a local spokesperson. "The New Year began with difficulties. Constant shelling is ongoing, and there has been a significant increase in FPV drones flying directly into the city. We’re talking about dozens of these drones."

FPV (First-Person View) drones, flying at low altitudes, pose a significant threat to civilians and can cause substantial damage. Vysheba emphasized that their presence in the city hampers the Ukrainian military’s (Committee of the Armed Forces of Ukraine) efforts to protect the city, increasing the risk of explosions and devastation.

Despite the persistent danger, many residents remain in Pidhora, further complicating the military’s task. Vysheba plea to locals is clear: "I would urge local residents, if not for your own safety, then please do it for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, whose defense efforts you’re hindering by staying."

Evacuation is not just a matter of personal safety; it also supports the AFU‘s fight to defend the city against foreign aggression.

Breaking News: Russia Launches Massive Drone Strikes Across Ukraine; Explosions Rock Kyiv

Wednesday, January 3, marked another night of heavy drone activity by Russian forces across Ukraine. Here’s a timeline of events:

At approximately 22:10:

• Multiple Russian drones were spotted moving across various regions:
  • In the Sumy region, heading southwest towards Poltava.
  • In Chernihiv, heading towards Kyiv.
  • In Poltava, moving southwest.

At 23:01:

• Air raid sirens blared in Kyiv as drones approached from the Brovary and Boryspil areas.

At 23:10:

• Ukraine’s Air Force reported a Russian drone moving northeast towards Brovary and Kyiv.

At 23:18:

• A series of explosions echoed through Kyiv.

At 23:30:

• The air raid alert was called off in the capital.

As of 23:37:

• Russian drones were still active in:
  • Northern Kyiv region, moving south and west.
  • Sumy and Chernihiv regions, heading southwest.
  • Poltava region, moving southwest.

At 00:18:

• Russian drones neared Zhytomyr from the north and northeast.

At 00:51:

• Air alerts were activated in Zhytomyr due to Russian drones.

At 1:31:

• More Russian drone activity was reported heading towards Zhytomyr from the north.

At 1:41:

• Ukrainian Air Force warned of drone movements around Starokonstiantyn.

As of 01:16:

• The map of air alerts across Ukraine showed active threats in several regions.

[](Image source: t.me/povitryanatrivogaaa)

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more updates.

Ukraine Boosts Defense Spending and Military Production for 2025

In a significant move, the Ukrainian government has allocated a substantial amount for defense and security in the 2025 budget, with a focus on increasing military production and capabilities. The total budget for these sectors stands at UAH 2.23 trillion (approximately USD 55 billion), as confirmed by the Prime Minister.

A key initiative outlined by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is the planned expansion of the country’s defense-industrial complex (DIC). Ukrainian enterprises aim to enhance their production capacities to reach USD 30 billion. Additionally, the government will introduce long-term contracts with manufacturers, spanning 3 to 5 years, as part of the "Weapon of Victory" project.

The focus on building a robust and capable military resides not just in numbers but also in sophistication. Shmyhal emphasized the importance of enhancing the range and capability of weapons, particularly those related to drone and rocket programs. The government has set a target to produce no less than 30,000 long-range drones, alongside 3,000 winged rockets and drone rockets.

Moreover, Ukraine is adopting the "Danish model", a collaborative approach where international partners purchase weapons from Ukraine’s DIC for use by the Ukrainian military. For 2025, this initiative is expected to attract over USD 1 billion.

Ukraine’s military production has showcased remarkable growth during the ongoing conflict, with a notable increase in the manufacture of drones, ammunition, rockets, and armored vehicles. This surge is bolstered by both domestic efforts and cooperation with allies, who are jointly producing weaponry in their respective countries.

Earlier reports indicate that Denmark, France, and Lithuania have contributed EUR 150 million to facilitate weapons production in Ukraine. Furthermore, the war has sparked innovation, leading to the development of new Ukrainian weapons like marine drones and native rockets, including the recently unveiled "Palyanytsya" drone rocket.

Uvacation of Ukraine: Overnight Attack Rebuffed by Air Defense Forces

In the wee hours of January 3, Ukrainian forces sprang into action as Russia launched a major drone offensive. A total of 93 kamikaze Shahed drones and various types of decoy drones were sent streaking towards Ukrainian territory from multiple directions, including Bрянск, Миллерово, and Орёл.

Ukraine’s air defenses rose to the challenge, with aircraft, anti-aircraft units, electronic warfare troops, mobile fire groups from the Air Force, and Air Defense Units working in tandem to fend off the attack.

By 09:00, 60 Shahed drones and other types of UAVs had been shot down, as confirmed by military sources. The air defense systems were activated in several regions, including Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk.

Furthermore, 26 enemy decoy drones were locally disabled due to the Ukrainian military’s countermeasures, with one more downed in flight.

The overnight skirmish underscored the ongoing threat posed by Russian drone attacks and the resilience of Ukraine’s air defense capabilities in the face of relentless adversity.

URGENT: Wave of Enemy Drones Infiltrate Kyiv officials – BBC”>Ukraine, Threatening Key Regions

In an escalating air threat, the first enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) began incursions into Ukrainian airspace as early as the latter half of December 31. As of 22:57, hostile drone activities were reported in several critical regions:

• Nicholayevsk Area: Drones were headed north towards the border of the Kiровograd area.
• Zaporozhye Under Siege: The city faced dual threats from the southwest and south.
• Border Skirmishes: Hostile drones were spotted hovering between Nicholayevsk and Kiovograd, heading southwest.
• Zaporozhye’s Northern Flank: Drones were detected moving north from the city.

By 23:36, the military provided updated locations:

• Kiovograd’s Southern Front: Drones were heading northeast.
• Sumy‘s Southern Sector: An westward trajectory was reported.
• Chernihiv Northern Regions: New drone sightings were confirmed, moving southwest.

At 00:10, air forces reported drones advancing towards Lubny (Poltava region) from the northeast. By 00:14, military intelligence had tracked down more enemy drones:

• **Har_selection Menu/-from-root going south towards Poltava.
• Sumy Northern Regions: A southwestward course was detected.
• Lubny Surroundings: Drones were moving southwest.
• Chernihiv Northern and Central Regions: More drones were spotted, heading southwest.

By 00:46, the situation remained precarious:

• Sumy to Poltava Transition: Drones were spotted moving south.
• Cherkassy Northern Sector: A westward trajectory was reported.
• Chernihiv Regions: Drones were detected moving southwest.

An impending strike threat was also issued for the Kyiv region. By 01:37, military updates revealed more drone movements:

• Kyiv to Zhytomyr Transition: Drones were spotted heading in that direction.
• Cherkassy Regions: Drones were moving southeast.
• Chernihiv to Kyiv Transition: Drones were detected moving in that direction.
• Sumy New Infiltrations: Fresh drones were reportatively heading southwest.

At 02:09, more alarming developments unfolded:

• Zhytomyr Regions: Drones were detected heading down south.
• Chernihiv Regions: Drones were continuously changing course, with some headed towards Kyiv.
• Sumy’s Southern Sector: A mass of drones was spotted, moving southwest towards Poltava.
• Sumy Northern Regions: New drones were detected, moving towards Chernihiv.
• Northwest Poltava Regions: Drones were spotted moving southwest.
• Vyshgorod/Kyiv North: An attack was imminent from the northeast.

At 02:19, the military confirmed strikes against Zhytomyr and Sumy. As of 01:45, Ukraine’s air alert map showed a grim picture of the crisis unfolding. Stay tuned for further developments.

Upping the Ante: Ukraine Fields Double-Barreled Drones Against Russian Swarm Threat

In the latest chapter of technology-driven warfare in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, both sides are churning out around 100,000 small drones each month, making their destruction a top priority for both militaries. Now, Ukraine has rolled out a new strategy to outsmart this aerial swarm: double-barreled drones.

Ukraine’s armed forces have been innovating to counter the Russian drone threat, engaging enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by ramming them mid-air or deploying nets. But both sides have taken a step further by mounting guns on their drones. Ukraine, however, has taken this adaptation to the next level with a novel twin-shotgun setup.

A video released on social media yesterday showcased this new development, which could potentially game-change drone warfare tactics. Here’s why this new setup makes sense:

1. Broad Spread, Higher Probability: Shotgun pellets spread out upon exit, increasing the chance of hitting a target. This is especially beneficial when dealing with fast-moving, small drones.

2. Minimal Damage Needed: Even a few pellets could cause catastrophic damage to a drone, enough to bring it down.

3. Early Detection and Engagement: The close-quarters threat posed by enemy drones can leave infantry with mere seconds to spot, aim, and take down the incoming UAV. By equipping drones with double-shotguns, Ukraine can start tracking and engaging Russian drones from a distance, long before they pose a direct threat to ground troops.

As the arms race in drone warfare continues, it remains to be seen how Russia will respond to Ukraine’s latest innovation. One thing’s certain, though: the skies above Eastern Europe are now hosting a battle royales of sorts, with drone pilots and engineers from both sides scrambling to gain the upper hand in this evolving tech war.

Overnight Barrage: Russian Attacks Hit Black Sea Commons and flagship Ukrainian City

In the early hours of December 29, Russianolateral attacks unfolded across key Ukrainian regions, targeting critical infrastructure and residential areas. Here’s a roundup of the latest developments:

Black Sea Community Under Fire

At around 00:50, Russian drone strikes targeted the Chernomorsk community. Although a non-functional building was hit, debris cascading down sparked a blaze in an adjacent energy infrastructure administrative facility. Emergency responders swiftly extinguished the fire. A 49-year-old local worker sustained minor injuries.

Ochakiv Under Siege

The previous day, December 28, around 23:40, Russian calculates struck Ochakiv using "Shahed" drones. TheFalling debris ignited fires in three outbuildings and a recreational facility, but swift action by firefighters contained the damage. No casualties were reported.

City of Nikolaev Battered for Second Night

For the second consecutive night, Russian forces pounded Nikolaev and its surrounding regions. The barrage on December 28 caused a blaze to engulf the roof of a multi-story residential building. Besides this, falling drones damaged enterprise properties, but, fortunately, no casualties were reported.

Stay informed about Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,037 – Al Jazeera”>Russia‘s ongoing aggression against Ukraine by tuning in to our dedicated news channel, RBC-Ukraine in Telegram.