Russian logistics near Mariupol no longer safe as Ukrainian drones strike deep behind front line
Photo: temporarily occupied Mariupol (Getty Images)
Ukrainian Defense Forces drones are increasingly striking Russian logistics deep behind the front line. According to the Institute for the Study of War, this could become an important factor in future Ukrainian counteroffensives.
ISW analysts noted that Ukrainian troops are conducting reconnaissance and attacking Russian ground supply lines in occupied parts of the Donetsk region, roughly 105 kilometers from the front line.
In particular, the 1st Corps of the National Guard Azov reported on May 8 that it had struck Russian military facilities near Mariupol and said Ukrainian drones are already disrupting Russian logistics at distances of up to 160 kilometers from operators’ positions.
ISW also pointed to geolocated videos published on May 6 and May 8. The footage shows Ukrainian drone strikes against a Russian military truck on the T-0509 Mariupol–Donetsk highway, about 95 kilometers from the front line.
In addition, Ukrainian drones were spotted directly over Mariupol and along the M-14 highway leading toward the occupied parts of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
Analysts explained that these routes are critical to the Russian military. The T-0509 highway is used to supply Russian forces conducting offensive operations in the northern Donetsk region, while the M-14 supports Russian logistics toward Orikhiv and the left bank of the Dnipro River.
“Ukraine’s ability to conduct drone strikes against moving targets over 100 kilometers from the frontline, in areas where Russian forces previously were able to conduct logistics relatively risk-free, will likely achieve partial effects of battlefield air interdiction (BAI) that degrade Russian forces’ ability to conduct future offensive operations, or defend against Ukrainian counterattacks,” ISW said.
The report also notes that Ukraine has been intensifying its medium-range strike campaign against Russian rear infrastructure since late 2025, with the pace of attacks significantly increasing since March 2026.
According to ISW analysts, systematic strikes against Russian logistics could support future Ukrainian counteroffensives, similar to operations that previously enabled Ukrainian forces to liberate parts of Kupiansk and territories in the southern Dnipropetrovsk region.
As a reminder, on the night of March 11, drones attacked temporarily occupied Mariupol. Following the strike, an explosion occurred at an ammunition depot, triggering secondary detonations.
In addition, Russian occupation authorities are trying to strengthen their hold on Mariupol through new infrastructure projects. The so-called “DPR authorities” plan to launch direct railway service between Mariupol and Donetsk by summer 2026.
The occupiers claim the project is aimed at preparing for the tourist season, but the real goal is to create a logistics corridor for moving troops and transporting stolen property.
