Russia has constructed 10 drone bases in secrecy along its borders with Ukraine and Belarus, according to a new investigation by The Telegraph. The bases are home to nearly 60 launch rails used to start fixed-wing drone attacks.
Long-range capabilities
Of the 59 launch rails analysed by specialists, 20 were found to be extended and therefore capable of launching long-range drone attacks. 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.
The rails have launched some of the drones that have bombarded Ukraine, but Russia is reportedly exploring the possibility of attacking 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.
Drone warfare intensifies
The revelations underscore the importance of drone warfare in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. At the weekend, Ukraine launched one of the biggest air assaults of the four-year-long war, firing 1,478 drones and nine cruise missiles at Russia over a 24-hour period.
On Sunday, Russia's Ministry of Defence said it had destroyed 822 Ukrainian drones overnight. Around 150 Ukrainian drones caused a forest fire in the Russian region of Rostov on the same weekend. The attacks came after Russia struck Kyiv from the air days ago.
President Zelensky confirmed 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."
