'Highway of death': the Ukrainian drone campaign menacing Russian logistics
Remote aircraft targeting supply traffic on route connecting occupied regions to Russia
TL;DR
- Ukrainian drones are targeting the Russian military supply line known as the "Novorossiya" route, which connects Russia to occupied territories and Crimea.
- The route, dubbed the "highway of death" by Ukrainian forces, has seen its airspace dominated by drones hunting Russian military convoys.
- An intensified "middle strike campaign" aims to destroy Russian targets located between 20km and 200km behind the frontlines, focusing on logistics and supply.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported a quadrupling of strikes at distances of 20km-plus since February, indicating a priority focus on this tactic.
- Ukraine's defence minister described the intention as a "logistics lockdown," funneling funds and drones to effective units to ensure the enemy "will no longer feel safe even at a great distance from the frontline."
- Military cargo traffic along the highway has fallen by 71% over the past two weeks, according to Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces commander.
- Tactics include the use of drone swarms and potentially US-produced Hornet drones, aided by AI, and locally produced Morrigan drones.
- A Russian official mentioned the use of airdropped mines, described as a "comprehensive remote mining system" that detonates on movement.
- Independent analysts note the operational effects, including degrading Russia's ability to use the key highway connecting Russia to occupied Crimea.
- Restrictions on civilian truck movements have been introduced on sections of the R-280, with a Russian-appointed governor comparing the strikes to the siege of Leningrad.