Ukraine’s defence minister announced that the country’s forces shot down a record 33,000 Russian drones in March, the highest monthly figure since the full-scale invasion began over four years ago. The announcement comes as Ukraine’s domestically developed long-range attack drones struck a Russian oil refinery and Black Sea terminal for the third time in less than two weeks, prompting precautionary evacuations.
Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated on Telegram that Ukraine is increasing its supply of interceptor drones, which have attracted international interest from Middle Eastern and Gulf countries seeking protection amid the war in Iran. The military has also established a new command within the air force to bolster capabilities. Ukrainian officials report that these interceptor drones are now being sought as part of a comprehensive air defence system.
Ukraine’s offensive capabilities have significantly improved, with the Defence Ministry stating that the range of its deep-strike operations has more than doubled since February 2022. Initially able to hit targets around 630 kilometres away, Ukrainian forces can now strike targets up to 1,750 kilometres behind enemy lines. This enhanced range has enabled strikes on Russian oil installations vital for Moscow’s war revenue and manufacturing plants supplying its armed forces.
The latest strike on the Tuapse oil refinery at the Black Sea port was a coordinated operation involving multiple branches of Ukraine’s defence and security services, the Unmanned Systems Forces confirmed on Tuesday. Earlier strikes this month reportedly destroyed 24 oil storage tanks and damaged four others. Independent verification of these claims was not possible. Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed that residents near the Tuapse refinery were being evacuated Tuesday, though he provided no further details.
Russia’s Defence Ministry reported Tuesday that its air defences intercepted 186 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russian regions, annexed Crimea, and the Black and Azov seas. In the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated that a drone attack killed three people and wounded three others. Conversely, Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian drone attacks killed three civilians and injured five others, including two deaths in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region, and one in Kryvyi Rih, President Zelenskyy’s hometown. Another attack on Konotop in Sumy region caused power and water supply outages.
