Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (HUR) has revealed that Russia is operating a specialized strike drone built to destroy power line towers.
The unmanned aerial system carries explosive ordnance embedded inside its wings capable of cutting through metal, HUR Deputy Chief Maj. Gen. Vadym Skibitskyi verified in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
The design allows Russian forces to sever overhead lines and damage distribution pylons without striking major generation stations, crippling Ukraine’s electricity and heating infrastructure as part of an upcoming fall and winter strike campaign.
Further investigations showed that Russia will also use the platforms to target defense industries, military facilities, logistics networks, water supplies, and gas production assets in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions.
“In winter, our most vulnerable point is electricity and heating, so they may also be under attack,” Skibitskyi said, adding that Moscow’s target selection relies heavily on satellite reconnaissance.
Focus on Donetsk, Low Recruits
During the interview, Skibitskyi said the HUR sees no operational indicators that Russia plans to cease fire or halt offensive operations before the end of the year.
Instead, Moscow continues to prioritize the complete capture of Donetsk, one of Ukraine’s key industrial regions where Kyiv discovered enemy forces recycling up to 1,500 captured drones every two weeks.
Skibitskyi noted that Russian military losses surpassed monthly recruitment rates in July, with 40,000 casualties against 39,000 new conscripts logged.
Moscow currently maintains approximately 670,000 troops inside Ukraine, but forming new combat divisions will eventually require a formal mobilization wave, he added.
