Published: TUESDAY May 19, 2026: 'The 7 MILLION Drone War' by ZUMA Press partner agency Ukrinform photographer in Ukraine Dmytro Smolienko: Ukraine recently launched long-range drones in what turned out to be one of the largest pummelling's of Russia during the conflict. President Zelenskyy said taking the war to Moscow was 'entirely justified.' Drone warfare in Ukraine has transitioned into a highly scaled, systemic contest of technology and production, reshaping the strategic landscape for both nations. Drone operations are now driven by massive industrial outputs, long-range deep strikes, and the integration of artificial intelligence. Ukraine is on track to produce over seven million drones this year, a significant leap from the 4 million manufactured in 2025. Welcome to 'The 7 MILLION Drone War'
© zReportage.com Issue #1041 Story of the Week: Published: TUESDAY May 19, 2026: 'The 7 MILLION Drone War' by ZUMA Press partner agency Ukrinform photographer in Ukraine Dmytro Smolienko: Ukraine recently launched long-range drones in what turned out to be one of the largest pummelling's of Russia during the conflict. President Zelenskyy said taking the war to Moscow was 'entirely justified.' Drone warfare in Ukraine has transitioned into a highly scaled, systemic contest of technology and production, reshaping the strategic landscape for both nations. Drone operations are now driven by massive industrial outputs, long-range deep strikes, and the integration of artificial intelligence. Ukraine is on track to produce over seven million drones this year, a significant leap from the 4 million manufactured in 2025. Welcome to 'The 7 MILLION Drone War'
A Ukrainian serviceman of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade accompanying journalists is seen against the backdrop of residential high-rise buildings damaged as a result of Russian shelling in the frontline city of Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region. The city lies just a few kilometers from the front line, with more than 90 percent of its infrastructure destroyed. Russian troops shell the city daily using guided aerial bombs and attack drones.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
Military chaplain FATHER STEPAN blesses paskas (Ukrainian Easter cakes) with holy water ahead of a combat mission in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. On the eve of Orthodox Easter, the priest visited the position of the Gara strike drone pilots from the Striletskyi Special Unit. Father Stepan held an Easter prayer dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ and consecrated the aircraft.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
Military chaplain FATHER STEPAN watches a drone he blessed before launch fly across the sky in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. On the eve of Orthodox Easter, the priest visited the Gara strike drone pilots of the Striletskyi Special Unit. Father Stepan held an Easter prayer dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ and consecrated the attack aircraft.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A soldier from a drone unit of a battalion of Ukraine's 422nd Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment ''Luftwaffe'' who participates in a daytime training flight of a Baba Yaga heavy bomber drone drives a support vehicle near the frontlines in the Zaporizhzhia region.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A soldier from a drone unit of a battalion of Ukraine's 422nd Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment ''Luftwaffe'' picks a projectile from a box in preparation for a daytime training flight of a Baba Yaga heavy bomber drone in the Zaporizhzhia region.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A soldier from a drone unit of a battalion of Ukraine's 422nd Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment ''Luftwaffe'' prepares a Baba Yaga heavy bomber drone before a daytime training flight in Ukraines Zaporizhzhia region.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
Soldiers from a drone unit of a battalion of Ukraine's 422nd Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment ''Luftwaffe'' operate a Baba Yaga heavy bomber drone in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A Baba Yaga heavy bomber drone drops a projectile during a daytime training flight of soldiers from Ukraine's 422nd Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment ''Luftwaffe'', during the ongoing war with Russia.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A projectile dropped by a Baba Yaga heavy bomber drone explodes on a target during a daytime training flight of soldiers from Ukraine's 422nd Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment ''Luftwaffe'' in the Zaporizhzhia region.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A Ukrainian soldier launches an RQ-35 Heidrun drone used for reconnaissance and artillery fire in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A Ukrainian soldier gets ready to launch a UAS A1-CM Furia drone aircraft used for reconnaissance and artillery fire in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A Ukrainian soldier launches an RQ-35 Heidrun drone used for reconnaissance and artillery fire in the Zaporizhzhia region.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A firefighter puts out a fire in a residential area after a Russian drone attack on Zaporizhzhia. Russian forces attacked the city with strike drones overnight damaging residential houses and causing fires.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A firefighter works to extinguish a blaze at a residential property set alight after a Russian drone attack in Zaporizhzhia. Overnight Russian forces launched strike drones at the city, damaging homes in the private sector and causing fires.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A resident sits in her damaged apartment at a residential high-rise building in Zaporizhzhia which was the target of a Russian strike drone. Russian forces launched a massive missile and drone attack on the city. Nine people were injured, and residential buildings, shopping centers, and city infrastructure was damaged.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
Viewed from above, fragments of the facade of a residential high-rise building damaged as a result of a Russian large missile and drone attack on the city. Nine people were injured, and residential buildings were damaged.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
Rescuers move body bags holding victims killed in a Russian drone attack in residential area of Zaporizhzhia. In the early morning hours Russian forces attacked the city with strike drones. Two civilians were killed and several others were injured, including children.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A soldier works at a control panel as the unit uses RQ-35 Heidrun and A1-CM -Furia drones for reconnaissance and artillery fire in the Zaporizhzhia region the near frontlines in the war with Russia.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
Under the glow of red lights, soldiers from a drone unit of a battalion with Ukraine's 422nd Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment ''Luftwaffe'' prepare a Baba Yaga heavy bomber drone before a nighttime training flight in the Zaporizhzhia region.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
Fighters with the special purpose police Zaporizhzhia battalion watch a live feed from an FPV drone from inside a dugout on the approaches to Zaporizhzhia region. Using FPV drones and the interceptor drone 'Bullet' Ukrainian police destroy Russian troops and UAVs heading toward the city.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A soldier from a drone unit of a battalion of Ukraine's 422nd Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment ''Luftwaffe'' prepares a Baba Yaga heavy bomber drone under darkness before a nighttime training flight.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
Medics provide aid to a serviceman of the unmanned and ground robotic systems unit of Ukraine's 225th Separate Assault Regiment, wounded by shrapnel from a Russian FPV drone. Medics set up the battlefield triage area in an undisclosed location near the frontlines in Ukraine.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
A children's playground beside a residential high-rise building damaged as a result of Russian shelling in the Ukrainian frontline city of Orikhiv. The city lies just a few kilometers from the front line, with more than 90 percent of its infrastructure destroyed. Russian forces shell the city daily using guided aerial bombs and attack drones.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
The view of a residential high-rise building heavily damaged as a result of Russian shelling in the city of Orikhiv. The city lies just a few kilometers from the front line, with more than 90 percent of its infrastructure destroyed. Russian troops shell the city daily using guided aerial bombs and attack drones.
© Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform via ZUMA Press Wire
