Ukrainian drones hit Russia's thermal power plant - power outage follows!

Ukrainian drones hit Russia's thermal power plant - power outage follows!

In a new exchange of blows between Russia and Ukraine, a Ukrainian drone attack severely damaged the thermal power plant in the town of Oryol, around 400 kilometers southwest of Moscow. Parts of an intercepted drone fell on the facility, reported the region's governor, Andrei Klychkov. The consequences are very concrete: parts of Oryol suffer from power outages and there are problems with the district heating supply. Further attacks have already been reported on a substation in Vladimir and a refinery near Yaroslavl. During the night, the Russian Defense Ministry also intercepted 130 Ukrainian drones over its own air territory, while Russian air strikes hit the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy with full force. A residential building and other civilian structures were attacked there, resulting in at least two injuries.

In total, the conflict has been going on for over three and a half years. Ukraine continues to face aggressive military attacks. The situation is extremely tense and clearly shows how the war is affecting not only the battlefield, but also in the cities of both countries. Given this situation, the progress in Ukrainian drone development is under a special light. After all, there are reports suggesting that two-thirds of successful attacks are based on drone operations, as Commander-in-Chief Syrsky noted in January 2025.

Drones as a key technology

One of the central players in Ukrainian drone production is the April Foundation, which produces FPV drones. These small but powerful devices have a range of around ten kilometers and can carry up to two kilograms. The original designs were developed primarily from YouTube tutorials; Today, however, attention is paid to comprehensive testing of drones before use. The use of these drones is not limited to military attacks, but also includes humanitarian missions, such as delivering urgently needed medicine and food to hard-to-reach areas.

In total, the April Foundation has brought over 800 drones to the front since autumn 2023, which were financed through private donations and support from soldiers. Strengthening civil society initiatives is proving to be important for supporting the Ukrainian army. Interestingly, the Ukrainian defense industry operates with about 800 companies focused on various manufacturing and research capacities to avert infrastructure collapse and maintain military efficiency. Particularly noteworthy is the “Tech Force” union, which specializes in the development of drones and robotic weapon systems.

The challenges of the industry

However, there are some challenges to overcome. Dependence on Chinese components is viewed as a national security issue. Even though Ukrainian manufacturers are trying to produce key components themselves, the conversion is progressing slowly. And while the Ukrainian government has already spent around $35 billion on defense equipment in 2024, that is not enough to fully utilize production capacity.

The strategies to support arms companies are also under critical discussion - many are calling for better international cooperation. The Ukrainian government is considering attracting foreign companies to strengthen the country's industrial base. The participation of European companies and countries could lead to a sustainable strengthening of Ukrainian defense production, which is urgently needed for the country in the current conflict situation.

However, the situation remains tense and the people of Ukraine continue to fight. More and more international soldiers, including Danish ones, are now coming to Ukraine to be trained in the use of drones and to support Ukraine's overall military strategy. Drone technology development will therefore play a key role in future conflict dynamics as citizens and government entities continue to navigate the challenges of these challenging times.