Ukraine must respond to Russian drone attacks by creating comparable pressure at sensitive locations inside Russia, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation Andriy Kovalenko said on Thursday, Sept. 3.
In a Telegram post, Kovalenko argued that air defense alone cannot completely protect Ukrainian airspace while Russia retains the ability to launch drones from its territory.
“The only way to stop Russian drone terror is to create the same on their territory at points that are painful for them,” Kovalenko said.
He rejected suggestions that a single technological solution could immediately close Ukraine’s skies to Russian drones and missiles.
“Talk that there is some magic wand capable of instantly closing the sky does not correspond to reality,” Kovalenko said. “Air defense is working, but the root cause is located on Russian territory.”
Kovalenko said Ukraine must target the infrastructure and capabilities that allow Russia to conduct sustained drone attacks rather than rely solely on intercepting weapons after they enter Ukrainian airspace.
According to him, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are already creating increasing problems for Russian airports. He predicted that continued disruption would affect Russia’s economy and the quality of life of its population.
Kovalenko did not call for attacks on civilian aircraft. Ukrainian officials have said their operations are directed against military and war-supporting targets, while warning that drone activity and air defense operations are making Russian airspace increasingly unsafe for commercial aviation.
Earlier this week, Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines turned two Russian-bound aircraft back and canceled multiple services after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned airlines and insurers about growing risks in Russian airspace.
The warning followed repeated temporary closures at Russian airports during Ukrainian long-range drone operations.
Satellite warfare against drone operations
Kovalenko predicted that competition over satellite capabilities would become increasingly important as remotely controlled drones develop.
He cited the United States and China as examples of countries competing in space, arguing that satellites could eventually enable operators to control drones from virtually anywhere in the world.
In response, future space forces would increasingly focus on disabling hostile satellites to protect people and infrastructure on Earth, Kovalenko said.
He warned that this technological competition could directly affect Ukraine and other European countries because Russia is also developing capabilities in this area.
“The technological race will continue,” Kovalenko said, urging governments and the public to be realistic about the limitations of air defense and the evolving nature of drone warfare.