Ukraine Reports Drone Strike Costs: $3,032 to Neutralize Russian Soldier, $1,487 for Infrastructure
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has released figures detailing the average cost of its drone strike missions against Russian targets in June. According to their data, neutralizing a Russian serviceman (killing or wounding) cost Ukrainian forces approximately $3,032. In comparison, attacking a piece of Russian equipment cost $2,674, while striking an infrastructure facility was the least expensive at $1,487. These figures highlight a significant shift in Ukraine's drone warfare strategy, as the cost to neutralize a Russian soldier has drastically decreased from an estimated $20,000 in 2024. The ministry attributes this improved cost-effectiveness to its 'Mission Control' system, a digital command-and-control program launched in January. This system analyzes drone missions, collects over 230,000 reports weekly, and has logged more than 50,000 missions, allowing for rapid adaptation to battlefield conditions and assessment of economic efficiency. 
