Jet-Powered Drones Intensify Russia-Ukraine Air War

Russia’s intensified use of faster, jet-powered drones has increased pressure on Ukrainian air defenses, prompting new Close Air Defence leadership and the deployment of fighter aircraft, missiles, mobile fire groups, interceptor drones and electronic-warfare systems. Ukrainian officials report a sharp rise in Russian jet-powered UAV launches, while battlefield analysis says Ukraine’s drone “kill zones” have slowed Russia’s offensive in Donetsk and forced Moscow to adopt new assault tactics. Russia is reportedly expanding autonomous, onboard drone systems that can identify and pursue targets without satellite navigation. Russian strikes damaged a Coca-Cola production facility near Kyiv, energy infrastructure serving Odesa, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts, and sites in the Moscow region, causing injuries, fires, evacuations and power outages. Kyiv endured a seventh consecutive night of Russian drone attacks amid reported shortages of air-defense interceptors and plans to overhaul its aerial-alert system. Air Tanzania suspended flights between Dar es Salaam and Moscow after a safety assessment, while airlines and regulators warned against or rerouted flights through Russian and nearby Gulf airspace, potentially increasing travel times and fares.