On the nights of May 23, 24, and 25, 2025, Russia launched three major combined airstrikes, deploying a total of 23 ballistic missiles, 64 cruise missiles, and 903 kamikaze drones targeting both civilian and military infrastructures across Ukraine, primarily Kyiv (pictured) and Odessa, as well as Kharkiv, Sumy, Vinnytsia, and Starokostiantyniv, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. On the night between May 25 and 26, 355 drones were used in what is likely the largest drone attack since the conflict began.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 500 SHAHED-type drones, while another 299 drones vanished from radar. In total, according to data from the Ukrainian Air Force, 104 drones successfully hit their Ukrainian targets. Although many UAVs were shot down or lost, it is crucial to remember that Russia's strategy involves overwhelming Ukrainian air defenses. This strategy relies on large drone swarms, primarily consisting of decoy drones, many of which are unarmed, designed to overload enemy defenses, while only a portion of the drones are kamikaze units intended to strike specific targets.

The evolving pattern of Russian drone attacks in Ukraine over recent months is particularly noteworthy. There was a significant increase in drone usage during February and March. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, 3,097 drones were launched in February and 4,196 in March. This trend unexpectedly dropped in April 2025, with 'only' 2,357 launches of GERAN-2 (SHAHED-136) drones.

However, in May, the number of drones deployed has risen once again, returning to the levels observed in February and March. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, as of May 26, a total of 3,568 drones have been launched, with an interception rate of 84%.

May has marked a significant escalation in Russia's pressure on Ukraine. The attacks this weekend were preceded by another significant assault on the night of May 17-18, where Russian forces launched 273 kamikaze drones. Unlike the previous week, Russia increased the intensity of this attack by deploying not only a large number of drones (primarily to saturate Ukrainian air defenses) but also ballistic and cruise missiles. This demonstrates that Russia has resumed large-scale attacks on Ukraine, while the unexpected reduction in drone launches during April may have been caused by temporary stockpiling limitations, preparation for subsequent attacks, and/or the implementation of new technologies and tactics to enhance drone effectiveness. In fact, despite fewer drones being launched in April, 379 targets were hit, compared to 377 in March.

This increase in effectiveness could be attributed to several modifications made to the GERAN-2 over the past year. As previously reported by FW Mag, the warheads have been upgraded to accommodate up to 90 kg of explosives, and modifications have been made to the guidance system to improve resistance to jamming and spoofing. Additionally, the latest SHAHED variant, the GERAN-3, is now equipped with an advanced turbojet engine, the Tolou-10/13, which allows the drone to fly faster—about 400 km/h compared to the 200 km/h of the propeller versions—and at higher altitudes.

Enhancements to the GERAN-2’s capabilities come not only from technical modifications but also from its improved operational deployment. The drone is now flown primarily at low altitudes (as low as 100 meters), making it more difficult for Ukrainian air defenses to detect. Additionally, whereas earlier versions of the drone followed fixed, predictable flight paths, the addition of video cameras to the GERAN-2 now allows operators to perform evasive maneuvers, evading detection by the tracking lights used by Ukrainian forces during night operations.

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