New drone types, capabilities, countermeasures, strategies and rules, each tied to a public source and a short verbatim quote. A development is not an incident: it describes what was announced, tested, fielded or claimed.
What the status means
Announced
A government, regulator or company said it will happen; not yet shown in use.
Tested
A source reports a test or trial; not yet routine use.
In use
A source reports it in operational use outside a combat claim.
Reported in combat
Reported in use in an armed conflict by a source that is not the only party making the claim.
Claimed
Asserted by a manufacturer, an official or a party to a conflict without independent confirmation in our sources.
36Developments04New types05Capabilities11Countermeasures10Strategy and doctrine06Rules and lawSources checked
Ukraine's Air Force said that of 116 strike drones launched overnight on 11 October 2026, 95 were jet-powered Shahed-type drones, alongside Gerbera drones and Parodiya-type decoys. These are figures from a party to the war, not independent counts.
Who says so: Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Yandex said drones hit its data centre in Sasovo, Ryazan region, on 8 October 2026, causing a fire and suspending operations there, and its data centre in Kaluga region the next day. Yandex described the Kaluga drones as Ukrainian; our dossiers keep attribution at suspected.
In October 2026 drones were reported to hit merchant ships in Romanian and Bulgarian waters of the Black Sea and a tanker off Sohar, Oman. Romanian authorities said a grain ship sank, Bulgaria's prime minister said drones hit two commercial vessels, and UKMTO confirmed that the Oman tanker was struck by a drone. Responsibility is disputed or not established in our dossiers.
Militarnyi reports that Lithuania began piloting Ukraine's Sky Fortress system, a network of acoustic sensors whose data is combined with radar and passed to mobile fire teams. The network reportedly had about 14,000 sensors in 2025.
Sources · 1
“The acoustic data collected by the sensors is combined with radar information and transmitted to mobile fire teams equipped with tablets.”
The US Drone Dominance Program announced the results of its Gauntlet II trials, held in August 2026, and said it will place orders for 60,000 drones from the top-performing companies, with quantities set at contract award.
Sources · 1
“DDP will place orders for 60,000 drones from these top-performing companies, with order quantities finalized upon contract award.”
From 1 October 2026, connection to the ERA-GLONASS tracking system becomes a mandatory condition for submitting civilian drone flight plans in Russia; drones must transmit identification, location, altitude and flight path.
Sources · 1
“From October 1, 2026, connection to ERA-GLONASS becomes a mandatory condition for submitting drone flight plans.”
A Polish military prosecutor said a drone recovered on Poland's Baltic coast was preliminarily identified as a Russian Gerbera-2 and carried a high-explosive fragmentation warhead of about 4 kg with a detonator. Reports on the warhead differed at first.
Who says so: Poland's deputy district prosecutor for military affairs, via Radio Poznań
A Russian outlet, citing the company's chief executive via TASS, reports new versions of the fibre-optic FPV drone Knyaz Vandal Novgorodsky with longer cable range. Fibre-optic control resists jamming; the range figures are the maker's claims.
Who says so: Ushkuynik's chief executive, via TASS
The US Federal Communications Commission sought comment on prohibiting the importation and marketing of certain foreign-produced military-grade drones and critical components, extending its earlier Covered List measures.
Sources · 1
“Seeking Comment on Prohibiting the Importation and Marketing of Certain Foreign-Produced Military-Grade Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and UAS Critical Components”
Forbes Ukraine reports that the Ukrainian manufacturer Fire Point says it has modernised its long-range strike drones to fly up to 3,400 km. The range is the company's claim and has not been independently verified.
Reports citing Ukrainian sources said Ukraine agreed to export drones to the United States for the Pentagon's Drone Dominance programme, which would make Ukraine a supplier rather than only a recipient of military equipment.
Sources · 2
“Ukrainian UAVs will be part of the „Drone Dominance” programme announced by the Pentagon.”
A US interim final rule implements the SAFER SKIES Act, which authorises trained state, local, tribal and territorial agencies to take counter-drone mitigation measures, subject to privacy requirements and federal suspension powers.
Sources · 1
“Specifically, the SAFER SKIES Act authorizes SLTT agencies to take the mitigation measures”
Ukraine's defence minister said a new interceptor system automates most of a Shahed interception once an operator selects the target: it guides the drone, identifies the enemy UAV and tracks and engages it. The figures are the ministry's claim.
Who says so: Ukraine's Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov
Sources · 1
“The system then independently guides the drone to the target, autonomously identifies the enemy UAV, and autonomously tracks and engages it.”
mod.gov.ua ↗Ministry of Defence of Ukraine · · quote checked
A Militarnyi analysis says Russia's Rubikon centre for advanced drone technologies grew to about 5,000 personnel by spring 2026, against an authorised strength of 9,000, and that rapid expansion brought internal problems.
Who says so: Militarnyi analysis
Sources · 1
“As of spring 2026, Rubikon’s total personnel numbered approximately 5,000 (with an authorized strength of 9,000).”
Gwara Media reports that, according to Kharkiv city council, Russia used jet-powered Shahed-type Geran-3 drones against Kharkiv for the first time, and describes why the faster drones are harder to shoot down.
Russian and Ukrainian sources reported that Ukrainian drones struck Rosneft's Syzran refinery on 21 May 2026; Ukrinform, citing Ukraine's General Staff, reported that it suspended operations after damage to its primary refining unit.
Sources · 2
“The Syzran oil refinery in Russia suspended operations after a Ukrainian drone damaged its primary oil refining unit on May 21.”
Ukraine's Air Force said Russia used 1,428 drones against Ukraine in one day in May 2026, including jet-powered Shahed versions, Gerbera and Italmas drones. Counting windows and the inclusion of decoys differ between sources.
The FAA proposed a rule under Section 2209 that would let certain critical-infrastructure facilities apply for drone flight restrictions around their sites, weighing security against the public's right of transit through the airspace.
Sources · 2
“FAA seeks to balance the public's right of transit through the NAS and a need to secure critical infrastructure fixed sites from UAS threats.”
Ukraine's defence ministry said interceptor drones downed more than 33,000 enemy UAVs of various types in March 2026, twice as many as in February, and announced grants for faster interceptors. The totals are the ministry's own figures.
Who says so: Ukraine's Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov
Sources · 1
“In March, interceptor drones downed more than 33,000 enemy unmanned aerial vehicles of various types”
mod.gov.ua ↗Ministry of Defence of Ukraine · · quote checked
Germany's parliament approved an initial €540 million tranche for loitering munitions from Helsing and Stark Defence, described as the start of multi-year contracts that could grow much larger.
Sources · 1
“The €540 million tranche is described as initial, implying multi-year follow-on contracts that could scale into billions as production ramps up.”
Ukraine's defence ministry said it is accelerating the installation of anti-drone nets over frontline logistics roads, with a further 4,000 km planned by the end of the year, prioritising routes that support communities near the line of contact.
Sources · 1
“By year’s end, an additional 4,000 km of roads are planned to be equipped with anti-drone protection”
mod.gov.ua ↗Ministry of Defence of Ukraine · · quote checked
The Associated Press, citing people familiar with the situation, reported that the Pentagon allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use an anti-drone laser around the brief El Paso airspace closure in February 2026. Official accounts of the closure differed; our sources contain no official confirmation of the laser account.
Who says so: Unnamed people familiar with the situation, via the Associated Press
The European Commission presented an action plan against growing security threats from drones, including a proposal that member states appoint national drone security coordinators, backed by EU defence and research funding.
Sources · 2
“The European Commission has presented a plan to counter the increasing security threats posed by drones across the EU.”
Ukraine's defence ministry introduced a whitelist of verified Starlink terminals and said a few days later that Russian terminals had been blocked, in response to Russian drones controlled via Starlink.
Who says so: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
Sources · 2
“Ukraine is introducing a “whitelist” for Starlink satellite terminals.”
mod.gov.ua ↗Ministry of Defence of Ukraine · · quote checked
“At the same time, russian terminals have been blocked.”
mod.gov.ua ↗Ministry of Defence of Ukraine · · quote checked
Ukrainian reporting describes Russian strike and reconnaissance drones, including BM-35 and Molniya-2 types, recovered with Starlink Mini terminals for satellite control. Ukraine and SpaceX later moved to block such terminals.
“In January, Ukraine’s air defense forces intercepted a Russian BM-35 drone for the first time, which was controlled via a Starlink satellite terminal.”
The FAA reopened comments on its proposed Part 108 rule for drone operations beyond visual line of sight, asking specifically about electronic conspicuity and right-of-way between drones and crewed aircraft.
Sources · 1
“FAA seeks additional comments on the electronic conspicuity and right-of-way topics identified in this notice.”
Israel's defence ministry and Rafael announced the delivery of the first operational Iron Beam high-power laser system to the IDF, designed to counter aerial threats including drones.
Sources · 1
“Today, December 28, 2025, marks the beginning of the era of high-energy laser defense.”
mod.gov.il ↗Israel Ministry of Defense · · quote checked
Ukraine said its underwater drones hit a Russian submarine at Novorossiysk, calling it a first in history; Russia's Black Sea Fleet rejected the claim. No independent confirmation of damage is in our sources.
Who says so: Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) and a presidential adviser; denied by Russia's Black Sea Fleet
Sources · 1
“it was the first time in history that an underwater drone had neutralized a submarine”
Sea drones struck the Caspian Pipeline Consortium's marine terminal near Novorossiysk and loadings were suspended. The consortium handles more than 1% of global oil supply and about 80% of Kazakhstan's oil exports, which prompted a Kazakh protest.
Sources · 2
“The Caspian Pipeline Consortium's (CPC) marine terminal in Novorossiysk was struck by sea drones”
The UK government announced a contract to fit the DragonFire laser weapon to a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer by 2027, after trials in which it took down high-speed drones.
Sources · 1
“DragonFire achieves UK first in latest testing, taking down high-speed drones with new laser system.”
Euronews reports that Belgium is buying Latvian-made drone interceptors after a month of drone sightings that disrupted airports, military bases and a nuclear plant. Belgian officials said they suspect Russia; that attribution is a claim.
Sources · 1
“The deal comes after several drone sightings that disrupted Belgian airports, military bases and a nuclear plant over the last month.”
Ukraine's defence ministry announced serial production of the Octopus interceptor, built to counter Shahed drones, and later a licensing agreement with the United Kingdom for large-scale production. Volumes are the ministry's own stated plans.
Sources · 2
“Ukraine is launching serial production of its own interceptor designed to counter Shahed drones.”
mod.gov.ua ↗Ministry of Defence of Ukraine · · quote checked
“the plan is to launch mass production of the interceptors, which could amount to several thousand units per month”
mod.gov.ua ↗Ministry of Defence of Ukraine · · quote checked
The Insider reports that a Russian deputy commander announced the creation of a military branch dedicated to unmanned systems, mirroring Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces; when it was formally established remains unclear.
Sources · 1
“Russia’s military has officially created a new branch dedicated to unmanned aerial systems”
Notes from Poland reports that the American Merops anti-drone system, which uses interceptor drones, had begun operations in Poland after Russian drone incursions, as Polish officials announced its arrival.
Sources · 1
“On Friday, Polsat, a leading Polish broadcaster, reported that the system had begun operations in Poland.”
According to the Associated Press, Belgium's defence minister said one phase of the November 2025 drone overflights involved small drones that tested the radio frequencies Belgian security services use to jam drone flights. The operators were not identified.
Who says so: Belgian Defence Minister, via the Associated Press
Belgium's defence minister said a drone jammer was unable to intercept a drone over Kleine Brogel air base in early November 2025. Norway's airport operator Avinor confirmed periods of downtime in its drone-detection system, including during the 22 September 2025 Oslo closure.
Only items with a public source, its publication date and a short verbatim quote are published. Quotes are checked against the source page; summaries are our own words. Claims by manufacturers or by parties to a conflict are labelled as claims. We do not publish targeting assessments, operational details or build instructions.