Voloshyn: Enemy using loitering munitions to target logistics on Mykolaiv-Kherson highway
Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, said in a comment to Ukrinform that Russia was intensifying its use of kamikaze drones in the south.
"Currently, the number already stands at around 750-780 drones across the southern front — about 350 on the Dnipro River axis and around 400-450 in the two Zaporizhzhia sectors," he explained.
According to Voloshyn, the Molniya-type munitions have an extended strike range of about 20-22 km and are used against rear positions, logistics hubs, and settlements located 12-20 km from the front line.
"The enemy is employing these munitions particularly on the Dnipro River axis, trying to disrupt logistics along the Mykolaiv-Kherson highway. In response, both the military and local administrations are implementing safety measures — building anti-drone tunnels, protective shelters, and other fortifications," Voloshyn said.
He added that the same tactics are being observed in the Zaporizhzhia region, where Russian forces attempt to strike supply routes leading east from Zaporizhzhia to Orikhiv, Huliaipole, Vilniansk and other frontline towns.
"Every day, the enemy uses about 15-20 Molniya or Molniya-2 loitering munitions on our sectors. The Defense Forces are actively destroying the enemy in the south. Daily, Russia loses around 70-80 troops and about 50 units of weapons and military equipment," Voloshyn said.
According to him, Ukraine's Defense Forces also destroy up to 50 Russian targets in the south each day, including shelters, ammunition and fuel depots, and other rear infrastructure.
In addition, a large number of enemy UAVs are regularly detected and shot down, including not only strike FPV and kamikaze drones, but also reconnaissance and bomb-dropping drones. In total, up to 200 Russian reconnaissance UAVs are recorded daily, with a significant portion being neutralized.
"Troops of the South Group of Forces shoot down 15-20 Shahed kamikaze drones daily as they cross our operational zone. Moreover, up to 15 enemy drone operator positions are eliminated every day. This is a very important indicator, since neutralizing these so-called 'drone crews' directly reduces the effectiveness of Russia's UAV operations and lowers the threat of strikes on our territory," Voloshyn concluded.
