Ukraine's Drone Kill Zone Widens to 50 km, Official Says

The area along Ukraine's front line where drones can spot and destroy targets has grown to 50 km in some sectors, a defense official said. Davyd Aloian, the deputy secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, told local media that the so-called kill zone has widened substantially as both sides increase their use of reconnaissance and attack drones. He described the zone as a dead zone for troops and equipment.

Vehicles and personnel that enter it are almost immediately detected and engaged, often within minutes. The previous effective range of drone surveillance in the conflict was roughly half that, Aloian said.

The expansion reflects advances in drone technology, including longer flight times, better optics, and more resilient control links. It also shows how both armies have adapted to electronic warfare. In many areas, jamming is now less effective against newer drone models, and operators can loiter over positions for longer periods before striking.

For front-line units, the shift means that traditional staging areas and supply routes are no longer safe even far behind the trenches. Medical evacuation, ammunition resupply, and troop rotations now require careful timing and cover. Some commanders have moved command posts further back or buried them deeper. Aloian did not specify whether the 50-km figure applies to the entire front or only to certain hot spots. The line of contact stretches more than 1,000 km, and conditions vary by terrain and weather.