A Guardian report describes how the war between Ukraine and Russia has pivoted from tanks and artillery to a new generation of long-range drones aimed at military, industrial, economic and civilian targets.
Key facts
- Ukraine and Russia are increasingly relying on long-range drones as the war evolves beyond tanks and artillery.
- Ukraine's 413 Raid drone regiment launched Fire Point FP-2 drones on a mission into occupied Luhansk, more than 200 miles away.
- The FP-2 is a miniature monoplane with a 6-metre wingspan carrying more than 100kg of explosives.
- The drone uses a piston engine plus a jet-sounding launch booster, according to the Guardian.
- Drone targets now span military, industrial, economic and civilian sites.
The war between Ukraine and Russia, which began with tanks and later centred on artillery, is now increasingly shaped by a new generation of long-range drones, according to the Guardian. These craft are being used to strike a broad range of targets spanning military, industrial, economic and civilian sites.
The Guardian describes a night-time launch by Ukraine’s 413 Raid drone regiment, whose ground crew worked under hard-to-detect green and red lights. After heavy rain eased, the crew prepared a succession of Fire Point FP-2 drones for an attack mission into occupied Luhansk, a target located more than 200 miles away.
The FP-2 is a miniature monoplane with a 6-metre wingspan carrying more than 100kg of explosives, the report says. Its main piston engine produces a sound the Guardian likens to a scooter’s buzz, while its launch booster is markedly different, producing a jet sound described as almost painful in its intensity.
During the operation, a burst of fire launched the drone into the distance. The Guardian reports that the final launch signalled to the crew that it was time to pack up and leave the site, underscoring the speed and mobility required of such missions.
The shift toward long-range drones reflects how the character of the conflict has changed over time, with both Ukraine and Russia scrambling for supremacy in the skies. The emphasis on deep-strike capability marks a departure from the earlier phases of the war dominated by ground weaponry.
The Guardian’s account offers a close-up view of how these missions are conducted, from the concealed preparation to the moment of launch, illustrating the growing role of drone technology in the war.
Why it matters
The rise of long-range drones signals a major shift in how the war between Ukraine and Russia is being fought, extending strikes far behind front lines to industrial, economic and civilian targets. Understanding this arms race helps readers grasp how modern conflicts are increasingly defined by technology and reach rather than traditional ground weaponry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Fire Point FP-2 drone?
According to the Guardian, the FP-2 is a miniature monoplane with a 6-metre wingspan carrying more than 100kg of explosives. It uses a main piston engine along with a jet-sounding launch booster.
How far can these Ukrainian drones strike?
The Guardian reports that a mission by Ukraine's 413 Raid drone regiment targeted occupied Luhansk, located more than 200 miles away from the launch site.
How has the nature of the war changed?
The Guardian says the conflict began with tanks and then centred on artillery, but is now pivoting around a new generation of drones focused on military, industrial, economic and civilian targets.