Russia Launches Drone Assault on Ukraine, Targeting Multiple Regions.

Overnight Drone Assault

According to TSN.ua: In the early hours of February 22, 2026, Russian forces conducted another wave of drone strikes against Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that groups of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were launched from Russia's Belgorod region, flying towards multiple southern and eastern regions of Ukraine. This persistent use of drones represents a key feature of the ongoing war, aiming to overwhelm air defenses and strike infrastructure. The targeted oblasts included:

• Sumy
• Poltava
• Cherkasy
• Kharkiv
• Dnipropetrovsk
• Kirovohrad
• Chernihiv
• Kherson
• Mykolaiv

Specific flight paths were identified for several drone groups. From Belgorod, UAVs headed for southern Sumy oblast, including Okhtyrka, Trostyanets, Lebedyn, and Nyzy, as well as Poltava oblast, targeting Zinkiv, Hadiach, and Hrebinka. Drones originating from Donetsk moved towards southern Kharkiv oblast, covering Barvinkove, Lozova, and Orilka, and the northern part of Dnipropetrovsk oblast, including Petropavlivka and Pavlohrad. Additional UAVs were tracked over Cherkasy oblast heading for Smila and Zvenyhorodka, and over northern Chernihiv oblast towards Semyenivka, Kholmy, and Mena. Another group was observed in southern Kherson oblast moving towards southern Mykolaiv oblast.

A significant development during this attack was the takeoff of a Tu-160 strategic bomber from the 'Engels-2' airbase, an aircraft capable of launching long-range cruise missiles.

Conflict Context

This drone strike is part of Russia's sustained campaign against Ukraine, where UAVs have become a central tool for reconnaissance and attacks. The increasing reliance on such tactics highlights the adaptation of modern warfare, with both sides seeking technological advantages. Ukraine's ability to counter these aerial threats continues to be a critical factor in the defense of its territory and the overall dynamic of the conflict.