Recent analyses from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicate that Ukrainian military units are actively conducting reconnaissance and striking Russian supply lines in the occupied regions of Donetsk, approximately 105 kilometers from the front lines.
On May 8, the 1st Corps of the National Guard “Azov” reported successful strikes on Russian military installations near Mariupol, asserting that Ukrainian drones are now capable of disrupting Russian logistics at distances of up to 160 kilometers from their operators’ positions.
Geolocation videos released on May 6 and 8 show Ukrainian drones targeting a Russian truck on the T-0509 highway connecting Mariupol and Donetsk, situated about 95 kilometers from the frontline. The presence of Ukrainian drones has also been confirmed in Mariupol and along the M-14 highway, which leads toward the occupied territories of Zaporizhia and Kherson.
These routes are deemed critical for the Russian military. The T-0509 is utilized for supplying Russian forces engaged in offensive operations in northern Donetsk, while the M-14 facilitates logistics for the occupiers toward Orikhiv and the left bank of the Dnipro River.
ISW analysts noted, “The ability of Ukraine to strike moving targets with drones from over 100 kilometers away, in areas where Russian forces previously operated with relative safety, is likely to create partial effects of an air blockade of the battlefield (BAI), which will hinder the ability of Russian troops to conduct future offensive operations or defend against Ukrainian counteroffensives.”
The report further highlights that Ukraine has been intensifying its medium-range strike campaign against Russian rear facilities since late 2025, with a significant increase in the frequency of these attacks noted since March 2026.
According to ISW analysts, systematic strikes on Russian logistics may bolster upcoming Ukrainian counteroffensives, akin to operations that previously enabled Ukrainian forces to reclaim parts of Kupiansk and territories in southern Dnipropetrovsk.
Ukrainian forces are intensifying drone strikes against Russian supply lines in Donetsk, targeting critical logistics routes. This strategy aims to disrupt Russian military operations and support future counteroffensives.