Ukraine Unleashes Drone Blitz: 33,000 Russian Drones Downed in March, $60M Radar Torched

Ukraine Unleashes Drone Blitz: 33,000 Russian Drones Downed in March, $60M Radar Torched Ukraine has dramatically escalated its military campaign, announcing a new plan to export battle-tested weapons abroad while simultaneously scoring a series of devastating strikes deep inside Russian-occupied territory, including the destruction of a $60 million radar system and the ignition of a major oil refinery. In a major policy shift, Kyiv announced it will begin selling weapons to partner nations through a program called “Drone Deals,” supplying domestically produced military drones to countries in the Middle East, Europe, and the Caucasus [135612]. The move signals Ukraine’s transition from a recipient of foreign aid to a global arms supplier, using combat-proven technology to fund further domestic weapons production [135612]. On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces are hitting hard. A kamikaze drone struck the antenna module of a Russian early-warning radar in Belgorod Oblast, likely knocking the $60 million system offline for costly repairs [135209]. Ukrainian forces also struck multiple Russian troop concentrations and ammunition depots in the occupied Luhansk region [135495]. In a separate operation, Ukrainian drones hit trains, communication towers, and supply depots across the occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions between 23 and 25 April [134577]. Ukraine’s air defense is proving equally aggressive. Defense officials reported destroying more than 33,000 Russian drones in March alone, a new monthly record since the invasion began [135430]. Meanwhile, a diplomatic crisis is boiling over with Israel. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Israel of buying grain stolen by Russian forces from occupied Ukrainian territory, calling the purchases “stolen goods” [135220][135224]. Kyiv has summoned Israel’s ambassador to protest the trade and is preparing a sanctions package against individuals and companies involved in the shipments, as another ship carrying stolen grain reportedly docked in Haifa [135010][135493]. The dispute is expanding, with stolen grain shipments now reportedly reaching ports in Egypt and Algeria [135493]. In a quieter but critical shift, Ukraine is turning to solar power as Russian strikes threaten nuclear plants and the central power grid [134915][134026]. Small solar panels are appearing on homes, schools, and hospitals, offering a decentralized energy source that is harder for missiles to destroy and carries no risk of radiation leaks [134915]. Ukraine to Start Selling Weapons Abroad Ukraine hits Russian bases in occupied Luhansk. Ukraine shot down 33,000 Russian drones in one month: minister Ukrainian Drone Knocks Out $60 Million Russian Radar Ukraine expands drone strikes deep into Russian-occupied areas Zelensky: Israel buys stolen Ukrainian grain; Kyiv plans sanctions Ukraine’s Zelenskyy: Israel buying “stolen” grain from Russia Ukraine Sanctions Threat After 'Stolen' Grain Ship Docks in Israel: Zelenskyy Ukraine Tracks Ships with Stolen Grain as Grain Dispute Reaches Egypt and Algeria Ukraine Turns to Solar Power Amid Nuclear War Fear Ukraine turns to solar as Russian strikes threaten nuclear plants