The Russian military fired fewer suicide drones against Ukraine in October. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian air defenses had to deal with over 5,000 suicide drones, in addition to ballistic and cruise missiles. 

According to the latest estimates of the British Ministry of Defence, the Russian military launched approximately 5,300 one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWA UAS) against targets across Ukraine. There was a slight decrease (in the range of 200 suicide drones) from September, when the Russian forces launched approximately 5,500 OWA UAS against targets in Ukraine.

“It is highly likely that Russia’s October 2025 launch rate was moderately reduced due to worsening weather conditions,” the British Ministry of Defence assessed in its latest intelligence estimate.

According to the data, the Russian forces fired hundreds of suicide drones immediately following lull periods due to adverse weather. Kyiv remains the main target for Russia’s drones and missiles.

The Ukrainian military has employed a wide range of methods to curtail the suicide drone threat, including helicopter patrols and drone-hunting unmanned aerial systems. The Ukrainians use such methods in an attempt to preserve their........

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