Ukraine downs record 33,000 Russian drones in March as strike range doubles

Ukraine used interceptor systems to shoot down more than 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March, a record monthly figure since Moscow launched its all-out invasion more than four years ago, Ukraine's defence minister claimed. Ukraine has developed cutting-edge and battle-tested drone technology that has proved essential in holding back Russia's bigger army and has drawn military interest from around the world. Interceptor drones as part of a comprehensive air defence system are now being sought by Middle East and Gulf countries amid the Iran war, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukraine is scaling up supplies of interceptor drones to thwart Russian aerial attacks, and its military has introduced a new command within the air force to boost the country's capabilities, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said in a post on Telegram late on Monday. Ukraine's offensive capabilities have also improved, with the Defence Ministry saying on Tuesday that the country's forces have more than doubled the range of their deep-strike capabilities since Russia's February 2022 invasion. At that time, Ukrainian forces were able to hit military targets about 630km (400 miles) away, it said. They are now striking targets as far as roughly 1,750km (1,100 miles) behind enemy lines, the ministry said in a statement.