Russia’s drone strikes target Ukrainian morale more than military assets, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports. Moscow now prioritizes psychological pressure over battlefield gain, using massive drone swarms and targeted civilian damage.

Russia turns drone swarms into tools of psychological warfare to degrade morale

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its 9 July report:

“The continued increase in the size of strike packages is likely intended to support Russian efforts to degrade Ukrainian morale in the face of constant Russian aggression.”

Colonel Yurii Ihnat of the Ukrainian Air Force said Moscow launched over 400 decoy drones in one attack on 9 July, which included 728 UAVs and 13 missiles. The decoy drones also carried warheads, creating not just confusion but real explosions on Ukrainian soil.

ISW notes that this tactic intends to overwhelm air defenses and emotionally exhaust Ukraine’s population. Modified drones now cause wider damage across larger areas, increasing the psychological burden on civilians.

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Ukrainian forces face constant drone waves, many with no clear military objective.

“ISW assessed in previous years that Russia has used strike packages targeting civilian areas to generate a morale effect in Ukraine, as seems to be the case with the most recent strikes,” the think tank wrote.

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Colonel Vitaly Sarantsev of the Ukrainian Ground Forces told the Washington Post that Russia now targets enlistment offices. These strikes aim to scare people away from joining the military. Sarantsev added that Moscow wants to make Ukrainians believe recruitment is dangerous.

Russia may escalate drone strategy further

The New York Times reported on 9 July that Russia may soon launch over 1,000 drones in a single strike. Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Major Robert Brovdi warned about the same possibility.

Electronic warfare expert Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov said Russia already increased Shahed production sevenfold. He expects up to 800 drones per strike soon.

ISW previously reported that Russia has expanded long-range drone production. Some production lines reportedly involve Chinese companies manufacturing “Geran-2 drones (the Russian-made analogue of the Iranian-origin Shahed-136 drones)” drones.