Ukrainian forces could use airfields in the Sumy region to launch drones toward the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, according to Russian military analyst and retired Captain 1st Rank Vasily Dandykin.

He said the drones could follow a complex route rather than fly directly toward the region. According to Dandykin, an aircraft could reach the Ural Mountains, change course and then continue toward Western Siberia.

In comments to News.ru, the analyst suggested that drones aimed at the Khanty-Mansiysk region could potentially be launched from the Sumy region and routed through the Urals before heading farther east.

Dandykin said such UAVs have a range of about 2,500 kilometers, while some estimates put the maximum distance at up to 3,000 kilometers.

He also raised the possibility of an intermediate landing, after which the drone could be relaunched with the involvement of local agents. The analyst described such a scenario as unusual but possible.

According to Dandykin, the drones can reach speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour, meaning such flights take considerable time. He estimated that Ukrainian forces typically launch these aircraft at around 8:00 p.m. so they can reach an intended target between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m.

On September 9, Russia’s Unified State System for Emergency Prevention and Response, or RSChS, reported that a drone attack threat had been declared in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug for the first time.

Emergency services were placed on heightened alert, while residents were urged to remain calm and follow safety precautions.