Ukraine preparing for Russian aerial attack, launches nearly 900 drones

Ukrainian drone pilots have significantly increased their attacks on Russian infantry, with 2,699 Russian soldiers killed or wounded in the first five days of October. This represents a 39.7% rise compared to the same period in September, according to Commander Robert Madiar Brovdi of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces. The drone pilots' performance is even more impressive when compared to the first five days of August, with a staggering 76.5% increase in targets hit - from 1,529 in August to 2,699 in October.

The surge in drone operations is particularly evident in the Dobropillia-Pokrovsk area of Donetsk Oblast, where drone pilots recorded 1,268 Russian losses, a 43% increase from early September and a 91% rise from early August. Brovdi attributes the increase to denser and more frequent Russian assaults, noting that the drone pilots are outpacing predictions.

Russia's mobilization efforts are contributing to the mounting losses, as Brovdi revealed that Russia has doubled its monthly recruitment pace, averaging 70,000 people per month, compared to the 35,000 monthly average from January to August 2026.