The Telegraph: Russia’s new drone bases on the Ukrainian and Belarusian borders put NATO territory within range
Russia’s military has set up 10 new bases for launching attack drones in large numbers along the country’s borders with Ukraine and Belarus, the British newspaper The Telegraph reported, citing analysts at DroneSec who reviewed satellite images.
Some of the bases were set up at existing military installations and civilian airfields; others were built from scratch. In all, the bases have 59 drone launch pads.
Satellite images indicate that one base has storage for more than 1,000 drones. Defense industry plants across Russia supply the bases with drones, including facilities in the Alabuga special economic zone, according to The Telegraph.
Experts say 20 of the launch pads can launch new variants of Russia’s Geran attack drone, which is modeled on Iran’s Shahed. According to The Telegraph, the newer drones are thought to be able to fly up to 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). That would theoretically put cities such as Warsaw within range.
The newspaper said, however, that there is no indication at present that Russia is preparing strikes on Polish territory. Meanwhile, the new bases are already being used extensively in strikes on Ukraine.
The war in photos: Odesa
The monument to Duke de Richelieu, long revered as one of Odesa’s founders, was encased in sandbags at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine to shield it from shelling. At a session of the Odesa city council in July, member Oleh Zviahin called for the sandbags to be removed. Citing architects, he said that the heavy pressure of the sand and its effect on the bronze were causing the monument to deteriorate and that it could eventually be lost. The sandbags came down on August 16. City officials said an initial visual inspection found the sculpture in satisfactory condition.
Odesa, August 16, 2026
Andrew Shugsun / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
Odesa, August 16, 2026
Andrew Shugsun / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
Odesa, August 16, 2026
Andrew Shugsun / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
Odesa, August 16, 2026
Andrew Shugsun / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
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