Russia is preparing Donetsk airport for massive drone attacks on Ukraine: what is known

Russia is actively modernizing the infrastructure of the occupied Donetsk airport to launch strike drones at Ukrainian cities. Placing launch points closer to the front line will reduce the response time of Ukrainian air defense and increase the threat to both Ukraine and NATO countries.

This is stated in the ISW report.

Experts say that the Russian occupiers are expanding the use of the captured territory for drone air strikes. One of the key targets for this has become the Donetsk airport.

Satellite images taken in July 2025 show that Russian authorities have partially cleared the runway fortifications and begun construction work on the parking lots, likely preparing areas for fuel tanks.

The CyberBoroshno OSINT group has established that closed warehouses are being built next to the destroyed terminal, drone control points are being prepared, warhead unloading areas are being prepared, aerial surveillance posts are being set up, and the runway is being restored.

According to experts, the Donetsk airport is planned to be used to launch Shahed strike drones, Gerbera trap drones, and, probably, Geran jet drones.

ISW emphasizes that placing such points closer to the front would significantly reduce the time needed for Ukrainian air defenses to detect and destroy threats. This could increase the effectiveness of Russian attacks and increase the danger not only to Ukraine, but also to NATO countries if the occupation continues.

As is known, on the night of Thursday, July 31, Russian troops carried out a combined attack on Kyiv , using missiles and drones. As a result of the strike, significant destruction was recorded in several areas of the capital, there were deaths and dozens of injuries. According to preliminary information, the Russians involved jet “shaheeds” in the attack . As of the morning of August 1 , 31 people were killed and 156 injured .

At the same time, Ukrainians began to hear a new eerie sound in the night sky – it is about jet versions of Shahed kamikaze drones, which Russia began to use in recent days. This was the enemy’s response to the successes of Ukrainian anti-aircraft drones. So far, the attacks are not massive, but the appearance of a new type of drone may change the nature of threats from the air in the coming months.

It was previously reported that Russian “Shaheed” drones began performing complex maneuvers in flight to avoid being hit by Ukrainian interceptor drones .

Recall that the Russian troops may soon begin using updated “Shaheds”, which are capable of being controlled in real time . Instead of a pre-set flight route, there is manual control and coordination between several aircraft in the air.

Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , Twitter , Telegram , and Instagram.