Ukraine’s Drone Campaign Cripples Russia’s “Highway of Death”

The R-280, called the “Novorossiya” route by Russian forces, links Rostov-on-Don with Melitopol, Mariupol and Crimea along the Sea of Azov. Since late May the road has been largely closed to civilian traffic. Ukrainian forces have intensified a “middle strike” campaign targeting logistics corridors 20-200 km behind front, using swarms of US-produced Hornet drones guided by AI, locally built Morrigan fixed-wing drones launched from slingshots, and a remote-mining system reported by Russian officials.

The Guardian

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said long-range strikes have risen to twice March levels and four times February levels, with overall attacks quadrupling since February. Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov linked the surge to a logistics lockdown. Commander Robert Brovdi reported a 71 % decline in military cargo traffic on the R-280 over the past two weeks. Analysts note dozens of trucks and tankers destroyed and fuel shortages in Crimea.

The Guardian

Ukrainian leadership frames the campaign as a priority to deny Russian forces safe logistics corridors. President Zelenskyy emphasized the rise in long-range strikes; Defence Minister Fedorov called it a “complete logistics lockdown.” Commander Brovdi noted the cargo reduction. Russian authorities in occupied Zaporizhzhia and Kherson announced a “comprehensive remote mining system” and restricted civilian trucks on the R-280 for safety.

The Guardian

Kremlin-appointed governor Vladimir Saldo called the strikes “cynical barbarism,” likening them to the siege of Leningrad. Regional head Yevgeny Balitsky warned drivers to limit trips unless essential, describing the remote-mining system as a deterrent.

The Guardian

Drivers recorded burnt-out trucks and drone strikes on the Chonhar Bridge, leading to a traffic suspension. Observers saw charred vehicle hulks on alternate routes as convoys tried to avoid detection.

The Guardian

Ukrainian units have not disclosed precise loss figures, and Russian officials give only qualitative assessments. Independent verification of the 71 % traffic decline and exact truck losses remains limited.

The Guardian

• “There are now twice as many strikes at distances of 20km-plus compared with March,” Zelenskyy said on 5 May, “and four times as many compared with February.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

The Guardian

• “Our task now, as directed by the president, is to maximise the middle strike and, in coordination with the military, create a complete logistics lockdown for the enemy,” — Mykhailo Fedorov, Defence Minister of Ukraine

The Guardian

• “On Tuesday, Robert Brovdi, the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, said military cargo traffic along the highway had fallen by 71% over the past two weeks.” — Robert Brovdi, Commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces

The Guardian

• “In an indication of the Ukrainian success, Saldo compared the strikes to the siege of Leningrad: “This is cynical barbarism.” — Vladimir Saldo, Kremlin-appointed Governor of Russian-occupied Kherson region

The Guardian

Ukrainian officials say strike frequency will increase, while Russian authorities expand remote-mining deployments and consider further defensive measures for the R-280 corridor.

The Guardian