{
  "id": 511999,
  "title": "Russia rapidly expands jet drone use",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/russia-rapidly-expands-jet-drone-use",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-10T23:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Voice of Ukraine",
    "slug": "new-voice-of-ukraine",
    "url": "https://english.nv.ua/russian-war/russia-rapidly-expands-jet-drone-use-50631506.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In August, Russia significantly increased its use of jet-powered drones against Ukraine compared to the previous month, according to Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat. Ihnat stated that the number of jet UAV launches in July was five times greater than in June. He attributed this shift in emphasis to Moscow's focus on employing Oniks and Zircon hypersonic missiles over Kinzhal and Kh-101 missiles. Ihnat observed this change by analyzing strike data without relying on restricted intelligence sources. Regarding the North Korean KN-23 ballistic missile, Ihnat revealed its confirmed use in a strike on Kryvyi Rih, which resulted in the death of an entire family. Following initial speculation that the missile was launched by an Iskander-M, S-400, or KN-23, experts later identified the missile as a KN-23 by analyzing unique fragments. Ihnat noted that the KN-23 is a less potent copy of the Russian Iskander missile but is the only known use of this missile in the past six months. When queried about the feasibility of Ukrainian forces destroying Russian launchers to decrease the frequency of strikes, Ihnat acknowledged the possibility but emphasized the extreme difficulty of the task. He explained that an Iskander launcher is a mobile system that can quickly deploy and move to a location before the missiles reach the stratosphere, making it challenging to target and destroy.",
  "summary": "In July, Russia launched five times as many jet-powered drones at Ukraine as it did in June, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on Aug. 10.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Ukrainian strike kills 13 in Russia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/ukrainian-strike-kills-13-in-russia-504831",
        "published": "2026-08-10T20:32:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Ukrainian strike kills 13 in Russia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/ukrainian-strike-kills-13-in-russia",
        "published": "2026-08-10T20:32:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Qatar Tribune",
        "title": "Moldova recalls its ambassador from Russia after drone explosion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/moldova-recalls-its-ambassador-from-russia-after-drone-explosion",
        "published": "2026-08-10T21:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Insider",
        "title": "Ukrainian drone attack on major oil refinery and industrial zone in Russia’s Nizhnekamsk kills 13, officials say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/ukrainian-drone-attack-on-major-oil-refinery-and-industrial-zone-in",
        "published": "2026-08-10T21:16:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Russia launches ballistic missiles at Ukrainian capital",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/russia-launches-ballistic-missiles-at-ukrainian-capital",
        "published": "2026-08-10T23:51:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}