Ukrainian military forces have used British-made drones over the past six months to strike targets within Russian territory. This was reported by The Times newspaper, citing sources in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to the publication, drones from two British companies were used to attack oil refineries in Volgograd, Yaroslavl and near Moscow, as well as logistics centers. Previously, there were no reports of British drones being used for strikes deep inside Russia.
Two models, different missions
The Nyan, developed by Callen-Lenz, a subsidiary of BAE Systems, was used to strike Belgorod. The drone has a wingspan of 2.9 meters and a flight range of over 240 kilometers.
The second unmanned aircraft, whose manufacturer is not being disclosed for security reasons, can cover approximately 965 kilometers. It is launched from a catapult system, allowing for rapid successive launches without a runway.
Rear instead of front lines
The different ranges of the two aircraft indicate a division of roles: the shorter radius for border targets such as Belgorod, the longer range for facilities deep in Russian territory, including the Moscow region.
This fits into a broader trend — Ukraine is increasing its capability to strike hundreds of kilometers from the front, shifting the threat to military, energy and logistics facilities in the Russian rear.
British supplies
- In June, the British government announced a 752 million pound package that includes the supply of 150,000 drones by the end of 2026.
- In April, Britain announced what was then the largest drone package — at least 120,000 units, including thousands of long-range strike aircraft.
If supply rates are maintained, the number of long-range targets in the Russian rear accessible to the Armed Forces of Ukraine will continue to grow — the question is whether Russian air defense will manage to increase coverage of oil refineries and logistics hubs in response.
