The Times: How Ukraine's Deep-Strike Unit Operates Against Russia
- 9.08.2026, 15:21
They have become Ukraine's most important weapon.
Ukraine’s deep strikes against Russia have become a crucial weapon in Kyiv’s arsenal. With fewer troops available than Russia, Ukraine has been forced to adapt quickly. Although long-range strikes have been used in the war since 2023, they were employed with increasing frequency last year—and became increasingly vital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on European allies and NATO partners to provide greater support. He recently stated that will expand the campaign of deep strikes, giving clear orders to destroy launch sites in Russia, writes The Times.
“These drones are now both offensive and defensive weapons,” said a 32-year-old sergeant with the call sign “Nick” during one such deep-strike operation, which was observed by Dominique Hauschild, a military correspondent. If they can strike missile launchers in Russia, they can stop the weapons before interceptors are even needed.
The unit commander, a 36-year-old lieutenant with the call sign “Cat,” surveyed his small team of about a dozen men. Although the weather was ideal for a nighttime launch—a bright, clear sky with a light breeze to lift the drone—Cat had a lot on his mind. Russian missiles have destroyed several long-range drone teams in other units after their positions were exposed by reconnaissance drones or technologies such as cell phone signal spoofing, according to media reports.
Success of Deep Strikes Against Russia
Recent strikes on the annexed peninsula, which was seized by the occupiers in 2014, have been so effective that rolling blackouts have become a regular occurrence for residents. Last month, the regional administration was forced to suspend gasoline sales to everyone except emergency services.
Advertisement
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces—a branch of the military created in 2024 to focus exclusively on drone warfare—consist of 13 separate combat units, one of which is the 413th Regiment, known as “Raid.”
But deep strikes are a multidisciplinary effort that also involves the army, the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine), and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR). “Some units carry out the main attack, while others act as decoys, but no unit is more important than another,” said one of the regiment’s commanders, whose call sign is “Schultz.”
Although Schultz is proud of what he and his team have achieved, he acknowledges that it is still not enough. “Deep strikes have significantly changed the military situation, but in the meantime, we’re losing the ballistic battle,” he said. “We need more air defense systems, and we need access to Starlink satellites over regular Russian territory.” Starlink, owned by SpaceX Elon Musk, blocks internet access outside of Ukrainian and occupied territory, the article states.
Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims
You can contact us by the e-mail charter97@gmail.com
