Ukrainian mid-range drones disrupt Russian supply routes in the south

Ukrainian-produced mid-range drones are increasingly targeting Russian supply lines to the southern front, striking bridges, fuel trucks, trains and port facilities, according to open-source analysts and Ukrainian military statements. Analysts from France and the volunteer group Geoconfirmed have geolocated roughly 150 attacks since early May, and they say many more may have gone unrecorded.

The drones, including models such as the FP-2 and the Behemoth, can travel 50 to 300 kilometres and carry warheads up to 70 kilograms. "The Ukrainians have obtained the means to start a large-scale drone campaign to cut Crimea from its main supply roads and to complicate Russia’s logistical situation throughout the frontline," said French analyst Clément Molin.

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces reported a 28-fold increase in mid-range strike missions over the past year, aiming to weaken Russian offensive capacity, create logistical shortages and degrade air defenses in occupied areas. The Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov described the effort as a “logistical lockdown” intended to deny Russia the ability to conduct active assaults.

Geolocated footage shows repeated strikes on the Chonhar bridge linking Crimea with occupied Ukraine, causing traffic suspensions and the deployment of temporary pontoon bridges. Freight traffic on that route fell by 71 % within two weeks, according to the commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, Robert Brovdi. Similar attacks have hit alternative routes, including a highway near Armiansk, where about 50 vehicles were gathered before being targeted.

Russian authorities in occupied regions have halted traffic on several highways from Belgorod and Rostov-on-Don, citing increased attacks on transport infrastructure. The Ukrainian National Guard also reported drone strikes that cut power to the port of Mariupol, further limiting Russian logistics.

Analysts note that the campaign is time-sensitive, as Russian defenses may adapt. The Institute for the Study of War warned that Ukraine’s advantage could be short-lived, while other experts say the three-tiered drone strategy—battlefield, supply-line and deep-strike drones—continues to pressure Russian forces and shape the battlespace for future operations.