Russia Plans 7.3 Million FPV Drones in 2026, Syrsky Warns

Russia plans to produce 7.3 million FPV drones and 7.8 million warheads in 2026, according to Ukraine’s top commander Oleksandr Syrsky. The scale signals a major expansion of Moscow’s drone warfare capabilities. Despite this, Ukraine says it continues to maintain the initiative and outperform Russian forces using its own drone systems. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied (Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi. Photo by Facebook) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky said on Friday, May 8, that Russia plans to produce more than 7 million FPV drones in 2026, marking a major expansion of its drone capabilities. According to Syrsky’s Telegram post, Moscow aims to manufacture 7.3 million FPV drones and 7.8 million warheads for various UAV types. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Syrsky said Russia is increasing the deployment of strike drones, including jet-powered systems, while expanding units dedicated to countering Ukrainian drones. He added that Russian forces are also strengthening air defenses around Moscow and in the Krasnodar region, while increasingly adopting tactics and technologies first developed by Ukraine. Despite Russia’s escalation, Ukraine continues to hold the initiative in drone warfare , Syrsky said. Since December, Ukrainian drone units have eliminated more Russian troops each month than Moscow has been able to mobilize, he added. Syrsky said Ukrainian drone systems carried out nearly 357,000 combat missions in April, striking over 160,000 targets – a 2 percent increase from March. He added that drones are now responsible for more than 60 percent of battlefield logistics tasks, including evacuating the wounded and laying minefields. In late March, Syrsky said Russian casualties had risen significantly as fighting intensified with changing weather conditions. He shared that the number of daily combat engagements had exceeded 200 for several consecutive days. The AFU chief attributed the escalation to seasonal shifts, saying Russian forces had increased pressure across multiple frontline sectors. Other Topics of Interest Kremlin Shifts Ukraine War Narrative as Hopes of Capturing Kyiv Fade The Kremlin has reportedly begun developing narratives to frame a potential peace deal with Ukraine as a “victory” despite years of war, economic strain, and limited battlefield gains. Officials are reportedly preparing to shift public messaging away from capturing Kyiv toward holding occupied territories in eastern and southern Ukraine. To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter Contact Us Please leave your suggestions or corrections here Cancel Send Kyiv Post Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.