Russian troops have carried out the largest drone attack on Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this.

On the night of February 22-23, on the eve of the anniversary of the invasion, the Russians launched 267 strike drones.

Zelenskyy noted that during the week, the enemy used a total of about 1,150 strike drones, more than 1,400 guided bombs, and 35 missiles of various types.

Skynex air defense system gun in service with the Ukrainian military. September 2024. Frame from the video of the Air Command West

“I thank each and every one of you who repel these attacks every day: aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile AA fire teams of the Air Force and the Defense Forces. I am grateful to those who save people from the consequences of shelling: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine, medics, and the National Police,” the President wrote.

The Air Force specified in its daily briefing that during the attack, the enemy used Shahed drones launched from Orel, Bryansk, Kursk, Shatalovo, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and Chauda (Crimea).

In addition, the Russians used three Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles from Crimea.

The attack affected Dnipro, Odesa, Poltava, Kyiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Modernization of Russian drones

As previously reported, the War&Sanctions website published a new set of data on foreign components in Russian weapons, including attack drones, which Russia uses to target Ukrainian infrastructure.

Since the beginning of 2025, experts have recorded significant changes in the design of the Shahed-136, called by the Russians the Geran-2.

The drones received a new warhead, which now weighs 90 kg. The flight controller, power distribution unit, and battery have been moved from the nose to the tail. Ballast has been added to the drone’s design.

This antenna’s manufacturing method and body color are similar to Shahed “Ы” series components manufactured in Iran and Russia. The sticker is probably used to conceal the true origin and purpose of the device.

Intelligence reports that Russia is increasingly using Chinese components instead of parts from the U.S., EU, and other countries.