Ukraine Increases Deep Strike Range by 170% Since 2022 as Drones Hit Targets 1,750 km Inside Russia

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reports a 170% increase in strike range since 2022, with new long-range drones reaching 1,750 km to hit the Ukhta oil refinery.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 9:13 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and AP News.

A Paradigm Shift in Long-Range Strike Capabilities

Since February 2022, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have systematically extended the operational reach of their "war machine" into the Russian rear. According to an official report released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Defense, the range of effective deep strikes has grown by 170%, moving from a maximum of 630 km in the first year of the war to roughly 1,750 km in April 2026. This evolution reflects a significant technological leap in domestic drone production and precision guidance systems, allowing Kyiv to bypass extensive air defense networks and strike at Russia’s northernmost industrial hubs.

Targeting the Energy Heart of the Komi Republic

The most prominent example of this expanded reach is the recent successful strike on the Ukhta oil refinery, located in the Komi Republic. Situated approximately 1,750 km from the Ukrainian border, the facility was targeted by long-range drones, reportedly including the "Liutyi" model. The operation resulted in a large-scale fire and significant damage to the plant’s primary processing units. By hitting the Ukhta facility, Ukraine has demonstrated a capability to threaten energy infrastructure previously considered safely beyond the reach of any conventional or unmanned Ukrainian weapon system.

The Systematic Attrition of Russia’s Strategic Plants

The Ministry’s report also detailed the scale of its industrial attrition campaign conducted throughout March 2026. In that month alone, Ukrainian forces successfully targeted five strategic defense plants and 10 major oil refining facilities across Russian territory. These strikes are part of a coordinated effort to paralyze the logistics and financial revenue streams that sustain the Russian military. Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov noted that every successful hit on a refining facility or strategic factory serves as a direct threat to the sustainability of the Russian economy, which is already under immense pressure from wartime mobilization.