Ukrainian special forces carried out a lethal attack on a Russian logistical hub storing deadly Shahed drones. Putin’s army has stepped up its aerial bombardment of Ukraine over the summer, targeting cities right across the country.

Night after night, Russia launches waves of Shahed drones, in an attempt to overpower Ukrainian air defence systems. These are normally followed by cruise and ballistic missiles, as the Kremlin seeks to spread maximum terror among the population and erode support for the war. The brutal attacks have caused thousands of civilian casualties, with some 232 killed in June alone.

In an attempt to undermine Russia’s ability to carry out these nightly assaults, Ukraine’s SBU targeted a Shahed drone storage facility in Tatarstan.

The warehouse was located in the settlement of Kzyl-Yul and contained not only Shaheds but also foreign produced components used in their construction.

The attack was filmed by onlookers and the video was later posted to social media channels. Images show a Ukrainian drone flying low towards the facility, before hitting the building. A large explosion can be heard, resulting in a giant ball of flames rising from the complex.

In a statement, Ukraine’s Security Service wrote: “This morning, long-range drones of the SBU Special Operations Center “A” hit a logistics hub where ready-to-use Shaheds are stored, as well as foreign components for them. This warehouse is located in the settlement of Kzyl-Yul, Republic of Tatarstan.

“After the explosion, a fire broke out. The distance from Ukraine to the point of impact is about 1,300 kilometers. The security service continues its consistent work on the demilitarisation of Russian military facilities deep behind enemy lines.

“The Shahed storage warehouses, with which the enemy terrorises Ukraine every night, are one of the legitimate military targets. Each such successful special operation reduces the enemy’s ability to wage a war of aggression against Ukraine.”

July saw one of the most intense phases of aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns, with Russia launching over 500 Shahed drones per night.

Based on the current trajectory, analysts warn that Russia will soon be able to conduct regular bombing raids involving in excess of 1000 drones. Russia has also introduced a series of upgrades to the Shahed drones, making them even more deadly.

The most recent models are faster and able to operate at higher altitudes, making them significantly more difficult to intercept. They are equipped with video cameras and in some cases utilise AI technologies, paving the way for autonomous flight operation and target selection.

Crucially, the new generation of Russian bomber drones can also carry much larger warheads, leading to far greater destruction and loss of life.