Name: Russia fired record number of drones at Ukraine in March, data show
Uploaded: 2026-04-02T14:06:06.886Z
Duration: 1 min 7 s
Description: Ukraine has sought to scale up its air defences in response, deploying cheap interceptor drones to destroy their Russian counterparts.

Ukraine has sought to scale up its air defences in response, deploying cheap interceptor drones to destroy their Russian counterparts.

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Russia launched a record 6,462 long-range drones at Ukraine in March, marking a nearly 28% increase over February and the highest monthly total since the 2022 invasion. Despite the surge in drone attacks, the number of Russian missiles launched decreased by about 52% compared to the previous month, with 138 missiles fired.

Ukraine's air force reported intercepting nearly 90% of all drones and missiles, achieving the highest interception rate since February 2025. Russia has increased its drone production to industrial levels, while Ukraine has responded by scaling up its air defenses, including the deployment of cost-effective interceptor drones.

Russia fired record number of drones at Ukraine in March, data show

Russia fired more drones at Ukraine in March than in any other month since it launched its 2022 invasion. According to daily data published by Ukraine's air force, Russia fired at least 6,462 long-range drones into Ukraine last month. This is up nearly 28% over February, and the second straight monthly increase. Russia launched 138 missiles in the same period, a decrease of around 52% compared with the previous month, the data showed. Of the missiles and drones, the Ukrainian air force said it had downed nearly 90% of them, the highest interception rate since February 2025, according to the data. Russia has ramped up its drone production to an industrial scale over the course of its war. Meanwhile, Ukraine has sought to scale up its air defences in response, deploying cheap interceptor drones to destroy their Russian counterparts.

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Russia fired record number of drones at Ukraine in March, data show

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Ukraine Invasion