The Ukrainian Armed Forces struck nearly 820,000 Russian targets in 2025 using unmanned aerial systems (UAS), according to a recent tally, as their conflict drags on into its fifth year.
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced the breakthrough at an “Army of Drones” military convention in Kyiv, attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Figures showed Ukrainian warfighters recorded 819,737 video-confirmed drone strikes during the year, providing verifiable battlefield data.
Assaults logged approximately 240,000 hits on enemy personnel killed or critically wounded, 62,000 on light vehicles, 29,000 on heavy military equipment, and 32,000 on Russian attack and reconnaissance UAS.
“Currently, over 80% of enemy targets are destroyed by drones,” Zelensky remarked. “The vast majority are drones manufactured in Ukraine. We must secure Ukraine’s enduring technological leadership.”
“This translates into increased effectiveness of drone developers and manufacturers, greater effectiveness of our ‘Drone Line’ project, and greater effectiveness of every unit operating drones and employing technologies and all new elements of warfare,” he continued.
Bonus Program Milestones
During the event, Fedorov recognized counter-UAS achievements tied to Ukraine’s ongoing battlefield incentive scheme and highlighted its modern approach to combat management.
The initiative promotes electronic points, or the ePoints system, which rewards operations with confirmed battlefield results.
“For the first time, we have received real, verified battlefield data that can be used to support data-driven management decisions,” Fedorov said.
Following this update, the defense agency recognized top-performing teams based on the incentive’s benchmarks.
Leading units included the 414th UAS Brigade “Birds of Madyar,” the Ukrainian Security Service’s Alpha Special Center, the 3rd Assault Brigade, and the 429th UAS Brigade “Achilles.”
The ministry said it plans to expand the reward system in 2026 to include air defense, army aviation, and sniper units, while increasing incentives for long-range drone strikes aimed at disrupting Russian logistics.
