Donetsk Airport Now Under Fire Control of Ukrainian Drone Units

Fire Control Established Over Donetsk Airport

According to Главком: A unit from the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces (14th Regiment) has achieved fire control over Donetsk Airport, systematically destroying enemy equipment, Shahed launchers, and logistics infrastructure. This operation is considered the first of its kind in modern military history. Russian forces had turned the airport into a military-logistics hub and a launch site for attack drones, significantly complicating the situation on the front lines.

Operation Results

Operators from the 1st Separate Center are actively taking out launchers, transport vehicles, and support personnel on the runway. The operation also involves hunting mobile fire groups and air defense systems. The primary goal is to completely disable the airfield, thereby reducing the threat posed by Russian drones. So far, the following have been destroyed:

• Shahed launchers
• Construction cranes
• Motor vehicles
• Warehouses

Additionally, strikes have hit air defense systems, engineering equipment, fuel tankers, and logistics facilities, confirming the unit’s effectiveness. Operators from the 1st Separate Center previously struck Russian aviation in Yeysk, destroying aircraft, a Pantsir-S1 air defense system, and a ship carrying ammunition in Berdyansk.

“The fire control over DAP achieved by the 1st Separate Center is an example of an asymmetric operation where, with exceptionally small forces, the enemy’s operational-strategic plans were disrupted.”

Officer of the 1st Separate Center, Serafym Falko Hordiienko

In August 2025, analysts noted that Russia was attempting to rebuild Donetsk Airport by constructing enclosed storage facilities and preparing a site for fuel tanks. However, the successes of Ukrainian forces could significantly complicate these plans.

This operation by the 1st Separate Center highlights a shift in combat tactics, emphasizing asymmetric methods to achieve significant results with relatively small forces. Disabling Donetsk Airport could substantially impact Russia’s ability to conduct aerial attacks and improve the situation for Ukrainian forces on the front line.

The recent success of the Ukrainian drone units at Donetsk Airport highlights a broader trend of effective operations against Russian military assets. For instance, in Crimea, Ukrainian forces have also demonstrated their capabilities by neutralizing air defense systems and naval support, showcasing the strategic advantage gained through advanced unmanned technologies.