On the 2nd, Ukrainian media reported that the military used a newly developed domestically developed missile-type drone for the first time in August to attack a military target in the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia. According to British media, the drone has a range of 600 to 700 kilometers. As the use of long-range weapons provided by Western countries is not permitted on Russian territory, there is hope that this will improve the situation, but the number of drones deployed is unknown and the effect is unclear.

President Zelensky announced its first use on August 24, but the target of the attack was not made clear. It took a year and a half to develop, and is said to be capable of striking at least 20 military airfields within Russian territory.

Ukraine has been provided with the 250 km-range British-made Storm Shadow cruise missile and the 300 km-range US-made ATACMS surface-to-surface missile, and Zelensky has repeatedly called for the lifting of restrictions on their use, saying that they will “strengthen our defenses.” (Kyodo News)