Ukraine reports drone combat successes as Russia plans new missile tests

Ukrainian drone commander Robert Brovdi reports that his units are utilizing advanced drone technology to monitor a 1,300-kilometer stretch of the front line. Brovdi, who transitioned from civilian life to the territorial defense forces at the start of the conflict, noted that his teams are prepared for anticipated Russian mobilizations. He stated that his units aim to neutralize incoming infantry, predicting that casualty rates will rise as Moscow attempts to secure the Donbas region.

Separately, Ukrainian military intelligence has confirmed that Russia plans to test a new ballistic missile with a range of up to 800 kilometers before the end of 2026. This development follows the expiration of previous international agreements that restricted ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers.

Russian defense companies are currently working to modernize existing systems, specifically the 9M723 missile used in the Iskander system. While some unofficial sources refer to a modernized version as the ‘Iskander-1000’, Ukrainian intelligence suggests this term exaggerates the actual capabilities, noting that the standard upgraded Iskander currently has a flight range of approximately 550 kilometers.