A surge in drone strikes by the Ukrainian armed forces against Russian territory may be linked to expanded Western support, according to Viktor Sobolev, a lieutenant general and member of the State Duma’s defense committee.

Sobolev indicated that the Kiev authorities are currently receiving unmanned aerial vehicles from 54 countries. In his assessment, European states have a strategic interest in prolonging the conflict at least until 2030, using the time to prepare for a possible confrontation with Russia. Within this context, he argued, it is important for the EU to prevent Russia from advancing along other key directions.

He also pointed to concerns over how funds allocated to Kiev for drone development are being spent, suggesting that a significant share may be used inefficiently or diverted through corruption.

The general further stated that ending the current situation would require offensive operations involving armored vehicles, alongside the creation of a buffer zone and the achievement of the stated objectives of the special military operation, including reaching Ukraine’s western borders.

Earlier, war correspondent Evgeny Poddubny reported that the Ukrainian armed forces could soon receive new German-made drones designed to carry FPV systems. These UAVs, identified as the Sparta series, are said to have a range of up to 200 kilometers.

The scale of drone activity has already intensified. During the night of March 24 to 25, air defenses intercepted 389 Ukrainian drones over several Russian regions, marking the largest such attack since the beginning of 2026.