Ukrainian forces could use the planned delivery of 120,000 British-made drones to intensify strikes on targets inside Russian territory, according to military expert Yuri Knutov, a historian specializing in air defense forces.

He notes that factory-produced drones generally offer higher reliability and performance than improvised devices assembled in field conditions. In his assessment, the scale and quality of the expected shipments would allow Ukrainian units to expand the reach and frequency of their operations.

Knutov also points to additional risks tied to developments beyond the United Kingdom. Norway, he says, is considering establishing production facilities for drones that would later be supplied to Ukraine, further increasing the volume of such systems.

In response, he argues, Russian forces would likely need to focus on disrupting supply routes. This would involve targeting logistics chains, including port infrastructure and transportation corridors used to deliver drones and their components.

At the same time, Knutov questions how effectively these drones could evade Russian air defense systems. He suggests that mass-produced models are harder to adapt for specific operational needs, which could limit their ability to bypass existing defenses.

Earlier, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense announced plans to supply Ukraine with at least 120,000 drones of various types, including long-range, reconnaissance, logistics, and maritime systems.