ISW: Ukrainian drone activity near Mariupol has intensified panic among Russians
The operations of Ukrainian drones near the temporarily occupied city of Mariupol have sparked concern and panic among Russian military bloggers.
This is reported with reference to a report by the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to analysts, recent reports of Ukrainian drone activity in the area are linked to air interdiction operations and pressure on the occupying forces’ logistics routes.
One Russian military blogger stated that in 2026, the M-30 highway has become significantly more dangerous for travel than in previous years—2024–2025. According to him, the risks to Russian logistics in the region have increased significantly.
Russian military bloggers expressed concern on May 10 in response to recent Ukrainian footage showing Ukrainian Hornet drones flying freely over the T-0509 highway between Mariupol – Donetsk highway (also known as Highway H-10) near occupied Mariupol, targeting Russian tanker trucks and other military vehicles.
One blogger expressed serious concern that the situation along supply lines near Mariupol is beginning to resemble the situation on the M-30 highway (Horlivka–Panteleymonivka–Yasynuvata–Donetsk), where Ukrainian forces have paralyzed Russian logistics.
The military blogger stated that in 2026, the M-30 highway became more dangerous than it was in 2024–2025, despite being farther from the front line, due to the increased range of Ukrainian drones. According to him, Russian electronic warfare is ineffective against Hornet drones equipped with Starlink, and Ukraine could fully automate them within the next year.
Another military blogger also expressed concern about Ukrainian drones equipped with Starlink and a range of up to 200 km, which can already reach the M-14 highway along the Sea of Azov—a vital Russian logistics artery to occupied Crimea.
Several districts in Mariupol were leftwithout power following a nighttime attack.
Russian drones also attacked the Mykolaiv region again overnight. Energy infrastructure was targeted, leaving some settlements without power.
In addition, the Zaporizhzhia region endured hundreds of air and ground attacks over the past 24 hours. There are casualties, including a child among the injured.
On May 2, Russian troops attacked Kherson and the surrounding region, killing two people and wounding 18 others.
