As snow blanketed a wooded area in Ukraine, long-range drones silently launched down an unlit road, taking flight into the night sky. These unmanned aircraft, equipped with explosive warheads, are part of Ukraine’s intensified campaign to strike targets far behind Russian frontlines.

The drones, operated by Ukraine's 14th Unmanned Aerial Systems Regiment, aim to disrupt Russian logistics hubs, ammunition warehouses, and military infrastructure. "Our main goal is to decrease our enemy's pressure on the front," said the unit’s commander, identified by the call sign Casper.

Ukraine’s military, which has kept much of its drone program classified, granted Reuters exclusive access to one such launch but withheld the location and timing for security reasons. The campaign highlights Ukraine’s determination to weaken Russia's military capacity despite not having access to the vast missile arsenals that Moscow possesses.

Russia’s defense ministry claimed on Friday that it had repelled a Ukrainian drone attack involving over 121 drones targeting 13 regions. However, Ukraine’s military reported hitting key sites, including an oil refinery and a microchip factory in Russia’s Bryansk region. Video footage shared online showed smoke and flames engulfing an oil refinery in Ryazan.

Casper’s regiment, numbering several hundred personnel, specializes in long-range strikes and uses domestically produced "Lyuty" drones. The unit's founder, known by the call sign Fidel, revealed that some drones have achieved ranges of up to 2,000 km (1,240 miles) during combat missions. Notably, they have targeted Russia’s Engels airbase, located 730 km (450 miles) southeast of Moscow.

Despite their successes, Fidel emphasized that drones alone are not enough to turn the tide of the war. "You still need infantry, artillery, aviation, and many other elements," he said.

As Ukraine and Russia intensify their efforts to strengthen their battlefield positions ahead of possible peace negotiations, the role of advanced drone technology is becoming increasingly significant. U.S. President Donald Trump has called for a halt to the nearly three-year conflict, but the situation on the ground shows little sign of de-escalation.

Casper estimated the efficiency of their drones at 40%-50% but stressed their importance in Ukraine’s strategy to chip away at Russia's military-industrial base. While both sides continue to rely heavily on drones for attacks, the war remains a multifaceted conflict requiring coordinated efforts across multiple military domains.

The use of drones has become a defining feature of the Ukraine war, demonstrating both the opportunities and limitations of modern unmanned systems in large-scale conflict.