New Tactics of Russia: Drone Attacks Increased Fivefold in 2025.

According to ТСН: Over the past two years, Russia's strategy regarding attacks has undergone significant changes. While in 2024 the focus was on expensive cruise missiles, in 2025 the enemy shifted to mass attacks with 'cheap' drones, trying to exhaust the Ukrainian air defense and energy infrastructure.

This is reported by the Center for Counteracting Disinformation.

Main Figures and Changes in Priorities

According to the analysis, the total number of means of destruction increased by 335% in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching 55,630 units.

The types of weapons show significant changes in the structure of attacks. The most significant increase is demonstrated by strike UAVs of the Shahed type and other drones, whose numbers increased fivefold — from 10,849 units in 2024 to 53,732 in 2025, which constitutes a 395% increase.

At the same time, the use of ballistic and aeroballistic missiles increased nearly twofold — from 306 to 568 units (+86%), and they are now used for targeted attacks on critical objects. In contrast, cruise, anti-aircraft and aviation missiles have become auxiliary means, as their use decreased by 19% — from 1,645 to 1,330 units.

Dynamics of Shelling by Months

Statistics indicate an increase in the intensity of UAV launches throughout 2025. The highest activity was recorded in July with 6,301 launches, which is 15.6 times higher than the figures of July 2024. Even during relatively quiet periods, for example in April, the number of attacks was 8.5 times greater than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

What Does This Mean for Ukraine?

The Center for Counteracting Disinformation calls the new Kremlin strategy 'cheap war'. The mass production of drones allows the enemy to attack the territory of Ukraine every night. The main goal is to create excessive pressure on air defense and destroy energy facilities, while scarce ballistic missiles are used only for the most important targets.

It should be noted that on the first day of 2026, the Russian army attacked 'Feldman-Ecopark' near Kharkiv.

At the same time, it became known that after the Russian shelling in the center of Kharkiv, 19 people sought medical assistance, among the injured — a 6-month-old baby. Fortunately, the infant did not require hospitalization.

Thus, the new tactics of Russia indicate an intention to exhaust Ukraine's forces through massive drone attacks. This means that Ukrainian air defense systems and energy infrastructure are under constant pressure. In such a friendly and aggressive approach, it is important for Ukraine to stay on top in countering these challenges.