Russia has constructed nearly 60 launch rails for fixed-wing drones at 10 bases along its border with Belarus and Ukraine, according to a Telegraph investigation that pieced together leaked surveillance images. Of these, 20 are 'extended' and capable of launching long-range drone attacks, potentially reaching UK shores.
NATO on alert
Some of the drones have been used to attack Ukraine, but Russia is reportedly exploring the possibility of striking Polish soil, a NATO member, after Romania reported intercepting a Russian drone in its airspace last week. The defensive alliance says it is 'ready to defend every inch of allied territory'.
The Kremlin has claimed its drones could reach the UK, but it is thought any attempted strike on British shores would be intercepted before causing damage.
Ukraine's massive air assault
At the weekend, Ukraine launched one of the biggest air assaults of the four-year war, firing 1,478 drones and nine cruise missiles at Russia over a 24-hour period. Russia's Ministry of Defence said it had destroyed 822 Ukrainian drones overnight, while around 150 Ukrainian drones caused a forest fire in the Rostov region.
These attacks followed a Russian assault on Kyiv days earlier, with President Zelensky confirming drones had done much of the damage. 'Wherever the Russians can reach with their ballistic missiles, they strike civilian infrastructure,' he said. 'Since this morning, air raid alerts have continued in many regions – the Russians launched another wave of drones.'
