Ukraine plans drone wall against Russian summer offensive

Ukraine plans drone wall against Russian summer offensive

In May 2025, Russia dramatically increased its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in an attempt to undermine the morale of the Ukrainian population. At the same time, the country is increasing its ground attacks along the front line in many areas, reports Ukraine and analyzes support these developments.

Successes and challenges in Donbass

Some of the Russian attacks have actually made progress. Ukrainian units in Donetsk and the north were forced to withdraw from certain positions, while some rural areas in the south were also lost. Nevertheless, Ukraine has inflicted heavy casualties on enemy troops while sustaining minimal losses itself through the increased use of drones deployed in multiple shifts on the battlefield. This effort is likely to become even more crucial in the coming months.

Ukrainian drone industry on the rise

Ukraine is actively seeking to expand its own drone industry to create defensive corridors along crucial front lines, often referred to as the “drone wall.” Meanwhile, the Kremlin is ignoring US President Donald Trump's efforts to secure a ceasefire and is instead pursuing a strategy aimed at forcing Ukraine to surrender: by destroying cities from the air and hollowing out defense lines on the ground.

Russian offensive tactics

Russia has significantly expanded its drone and missile production in the past year, enabling large-scale attacks with several hundred projectiles at a time. Russia's strategic approach would be tailored to overwhelming Ukraine's air defenses with numerous low-cost drones to successfully carry out simultaneous missile strikes.

Russia's slow advance

On the ground, Russian troops are testing Ukrainian defenses on many sectors of the front simultaneously, from Zaporizhzhia in the south to Sumy in the north, pushing into abandoned villages and open terrain. Russian forces have captured an average of about 14 square kilometers per day this year, meaning it would take them nearly four more years to occupy the four regions illegally annexed by Moscow: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

Fights in Donetsk and Sumy

Much of the fighting is focused on Donetsk as Russia remains determined to conquer the entire region - unless it is handed over in peace negotiations, which is unacceptable to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a village south of the important town of Kostiantynivka was captured. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) estimates that Russian forces captured about 65 square kilometers of territory, but are unable to step up offensive operations in multiple directions simultaneously.

Assessment of the military situation

Zelensky told journalists that Russia was “now massing troops towards Sumy,” estimating the number at over 50,000. The Ukrainians are aware that the Russians want to create a “buffer space” of 10 kilometers into Ukraine, but do not have the necessary skills to implement this effectively. Russian operations are supported by missile and air guided bomb strikes.

Technological developments and drone use

To increase targeting accuracy, the Ukrainians rely on a variety of drone and artillery coordination. According to analysts, Ukrainian defenses are heavily dependent on these layers. An effective drone front will require integration with electronic warfare and support from AI-driven decision-making and analysis.

Financial challenges and future outlook

Zelensky noted that Ukraine will be able to catch up with Russia and produce similar quantities of drones. He emphasized that it is not a matter of production volume, but of financial resources to bring Ukrainian defense production into full swing. The unexpected $30 billion funding target could be crucial to Ukraine's military independence.

In summary, the Ukrainian Armed Forces face a number of challenges, both in terms of military operations and inflows of international support. How the situation will evolve remains to be seen, but the need for innovation and adaptation will play a crucial role in the coming months.