Russian pro-war bloggers express significant concern regarding the activation of Ukrainian drones in the area of occupied Mariupol. Recently, there has been an increase in reports of the use of Ukrainian drones for air interception aimed at Russian logistics in this section of the front.
This is reported by Finway
Ukrainian drones attack Russian logistics
According to analytical observations, on May 10, Russian war correspondents published numerous reports about the flights of Ukrainian Hornet drones over the T-0509 Mariupol-Donetsk route (also known as H-10). The drones specifically targeted Russian tankers and military transport vehicles moving along this important route. One Russian blogger noted that the situation in this area is beginning to resemble conditions on the M-30 Horlivka-Panteleimonivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk route, where Ukrainian forces have already effectively paralyzed Russian logistics and civilian traffic using drones.
“The war correspondent” expressed concern that Ukrainian forces could fully automate the Hornet drones within the next 6-12 months.
The strategic role of drones and the creation of a “sanitary zone”
According to bloggers, Russian electronic warfare means can jam Hornet drones only if they do not use Starlink or fail to automatically lock onto targets. There is particular concern about the possibility of full automation of these drones, which could significantly complicate the defense of Russian logistics. Another Russian blogger emphasized that Ukrainian drones supported by Starlink and with a range of up to 200 km are already reaching the M-14 highway Mariupol-Berdyansk-Melitopol-Henichesk — a key route connecting the occupied territories along the Sea of Azov with Crimea.
Analysts note that Ukraine’s ability to strike moving targets deep in enemy territory is already having a tangible effect on the Russians, and this trend only exacerbates the informational uncertainty in the pro-war environment in Russia.
On May 8, the 1st Azov Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine released a video of drones that, according to them, are conducting reconnaissance of Russian military facilities in Mariupol. The military stated that they are patrolling roads up to 160 km deep from the front line, continuing efforts to create a “sanitary zone” to complicate Russian logistics.
Mariupol has been under Russian occupation since the spring of 2022 after a prolonged siege. According to the mayor Vadym Boychenko, at least 20,000 people have died in the devastated city.