International
Ukraine’s long-range drones using Western tech to hit Russia
Ukraine’s long-range drones using Western tech to hit Russia
Western technology and finance are helping Ukraine carry out hundreds of long-range strikes inside Russia.
That is despite Nato allies still refusing to give Ukraine permission to use Western-supplied munitions to do so – mostly because of fears of escalation.
Ukraine has been stepping up its long-range strikes inside Russia over the past few months, launching scores of drones simultaneously at strategic targets several times a week.
The targets include air force bases, oil and ammunition depots and command centres.
Ukrainian firms are now producing hundreds of armed one-way attack drones a month, at a fraction of the cost it takes to produce a similar drone in the West.
One company told the BBC it was already creating a disproportionate impact on Russia’s war economy at a relatively small expense.
The BBC has been briefed by a number of those involved in these missions. They include one of Ukraine’s largest one-way attack drone manufacturers, as well as a big data company which has helped develop software for Ukraine to carry out these strikes.
Francisco Serra-Martins says the strategy is already creating huge dilemmas for Moscow. He believes that with extra investment, it will turn the tide of the war in Ukraine’s favour.
Eighteen months ago, the company he co-founded, Terminal Autonomy, didn’t even exist. It is now producing more than a hundred AQ400 Scythe long-range drones a month, with a range of 750km (465 miles). The company also makes hundreds of shorter range AQ100 Bayonet drones a month, which can fly a few hundred kilometres.
The drones are made of wood and are being assembled in former furniture factories in Ukraine.
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Mr Serra-Martins, a former Australian Army Royal Engineer, set up the company with his Ukrainian co-founder, backed by US finance. It is one of at least three companies now producing drones in Ukraine at scale.

The AQ 400 Scythe drone is made of wood and has a range of 750km
He describes his drones as “basically flying furniture – we assemble it like Ikea”.
It takes about an hour to build the fuselage and half that time to put the brains inside it – the electronics, motor and explosives.
The company’s Bayonet drone costs a few thousand dollars. In contrast, a Russian air defence missile used to shoot it down can cost more than $1m.
It is not only cheap drones making the difference.
Palantir, a large US data analysis company, was one of the first Western tech companies to aid Ukraine’s war effort. It started by providing software to improve the speed and accuracy of its artillery strikes. Now it has given Ukraine new tools to plan its long-range drone strikes.
British engineers from Palantir, working with Ukrainian counterparts, have designed a programme to generate and map the best ways to reach a target. Palantir makes clear it is not involved in the missions, but has helped train more than 1,000 Ukrainians how to use its software.
The BBC has been shown how it works in principle. Using streams of data, it can map Russia’s air defences, radar and electronic jammers. The end product looks similar to a topographical chart.
The tighter the contours, the heavier the air defences. The locations have already been identified by Ukraine using commercial satellite imagery and signals intelligence.
Louis Mosley of Palantir says the programme is helping Ukraine to skirt around Russia’s electronic warfare and air defence systems to reach their target.
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“Understanding and visualising what that looks like across the entire battle space is really critical to optimising these missions,” he says.
The execution of the long-range drone strikes is being co-ordinated by Ukraine’s intelligence agencies, who work in secrecy. But the BBC has been told by other sources about some of the detail.
Scores of drones can be fired for any one mission – as many as 60 at one target.
The attacks are mostly carried out at night. Most will be shot down. As few as 10% may reach the target. Some drones are even shot down along the way by friendly fire – Ukraine’s own air defences.
Ukraine has had to work out ways to counter Russian electronic jamming. Terminal Autonomy’s Scythe drone uses visual positioning – navigating its course and examining the terrain by Artificial Intelligence. There is no pilot involved.
Palantir software will have already mapped the best routes. Mr Serra-Martins says flying a lot of drones is key to overwhelming and exhausting Russia’s air defences. So too is making the drones cheaper than the missiles trying to shoot them down, or the targets they are trying to hit.
Prof Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute says Ukraine’s long-range drone attacks are creating dilemmas for Moscow. Although Russia has a lot of air defences, it still cannot protect everything.
Prof Bronk says Ukraine’s long-range strikes are showing ordinary Russians that “the state can’t defend them fully and that Russia is vulnerable”.
Ukrainian drones have been spotted more than 1,000km (620 miles) inside Russia. They have been shot down over Moscow.
But the focus has been on military sites. The map below highlights just a handful of the dozen targets hit over the past few months. They include five Russian airbases.
Prof Justin Bronk says targeting Russian airbases has so far been the only effective way Ukraine has to respond to Russia’s glide bombs.
It has forced Russia to move aircraft to bases further away and reduce the frequency of their attacks. Satellite imagery shows how Ukrainian drones have successfully damaged hangars at its Marynovka airbase.
Ukraine clearly believes it could do even more with the help of Western-made long-range weapons. But so far, allies have rejected Kyiv’s pleas.
There is still a lingering fear, especially in Washington and Berlin, that it could drag the West further into the conflict. But that hasn’t stopped Western companies and finance from helping Ukraine.
Ukraine is still largely having to rely on its home-grown efforts, convinced that bringing the war to Russia is a key to winning this war.
Francisco Serra-Martins also believes Western manufacturers are still “woefully unprepared” to fight high-intensity warfare – producing far fewer long-range weapons at a much higher cost. He says what Ukraine really needs now “is a lot of good enough systems”.
The BBC has talked to one Ukrainian company which is already developing a new cruise missile, at least 10 times cheaper than a British-made Storm Shadow missile.
Despite the West’s misgivings, Ukraine is planning to step up its attacks on Russia. Mr Serra-Martins says: “What you’re seeing now is like nothing compared to what you’ll see by the end of the year.”
Ukraine’s long-range drones using Western tech to hit Russia
BBC
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International
Second Houthi Strike in Two Days Kills One at Riyadh Airport
Saudi Arabia is facing mounting security concerns after a second consecutive day of attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport left one person dead and 11 others injured, following an earlier strike that killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 300.
The latest attack occurred on Sunday, October 11, 2026, when a projectile struck Terminal 4 at the airport in the Saudi capital. The country’s General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that the person killed was a Pakistani resident, while the 11 injured people were taken to hospitals for treatment.
The incident came less than 24 hours after another deadly attack on the airport, prompting renewed fears about the safety of passengers, airport workers and other civilians as tensions involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement intensified.
Saudi authorities began assessing the damage and inspecting airport facilities after the latest strike. Airport operations had already been disrupted following Saturday’s attack, with reports indicating that the closure was extended while officials reviewed security conditions and determined when flights could safely resume.
The attacks have raised serious concerns about the vulnerability of Saudi Arabia’s aviation infrastructure, particularly as the Houthis have threatened further strikes against airports and other strategic facilities in the kingdom.
The death toll from Saturday’s attack was initially reported at 12, with more than 300 people injured. India’s embassy in Saudi Arabia later confirmed that an Indian citizen had died from injuries sustained in the incident, bringing the reported toll to at least 13 deaths from that attack alone. The additional fatality reported on Sunday brings the combined reported death toll from the two incidents to at least 14.
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The figures relate to separate attacks and should not be confused with the 11 people injured in Sunday’s incident.
The Houthi movement, which is aligned with Iran and controls large parts of northern Yemen, claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi targets. Its military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said the group had carried out operations involving missiles and drones against airports and facilities belonging to Saudi energy giant Aramco.
The Houthis identified King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport near Dammam among their targets. The group also warned airlines and passengers against using Saudi airports and airspace, threatening further operations as the confrontation escalated.
Saudi authorities reported additional security incidents during the same period. The Saudi-led coalition said air defences intercepted a cruise missile near King Khalid International Airport. A drone was also intercepted in the Eastern Province, while a ballistic missile reportedly launched towards Khamis Mushait was intercepted.
Emergency alerts were issued in Abha, southern Saudi Arabia, although civil defence authorities later said the immediate danger had passed.
Reports also indicated that King Fahd International Airport in Dammam came under attack on Sunday evening. Officials said damage assessments and safety inspections were under way, although the full extent of the damage was not immediately clear.
The incidents have heightened concerns that the attacks could extend beyond Riyadh to other parts of Saudi Arabia, threatening civilian infrastructure and complicating efforts to maintain normal aviation operations.
The repeated strikes are particularly alarming because Riyadh’s airport was reportedly targeted several times within a five-day period. The pattern has intensified pressure on Saudi authorities to strengthen air defences and protect critical infrastructure against further missile and drone attacks.
Saudi Arabia has long supported Yemen’s internationally recognised government in its conflict with the Houthis. The latest attacks have increased the risk of renewed confrontation between Riyadh and the armed group, potentially undermining efforts to contain the wider regional crisis.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the attack on Riyadh airport and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia. He called for an end to attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure, warning of the wider implications for regional security and stability.
The attacks have also raised concerns about international air travel, given Saudi Arabia’s importance as a regional aviation hub and a destination for millions of travellers, including religious pilgrims. Any prolonged closure of major airports could disrupt passenger movements, airline schedules and international connections.
Beyond aviation, the escalation could have implications for global energy markets and maritime trade. Saudi Arabia is a major oil producer, while the wider conflict has raised concerns about security along important shipping routes, including the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Sustained attacks on transport and energy infrastructure could increase shipping risks, insurance costs and pressure on supply chains, although the extent of any economic impact would depend on the duration and scale of the escalation.
Saudi authorities now face the immediate challenge of assessing damage, restoring airport operations safely and protecting passengers and aviation facilities against further attacks. The Houthis’ warning of additional strikes has added uncertainty over when normal air travel can resume and whether other strategic locations could become targets.
The latest incidents underscore the growing threat to civilian infrastructure as regional tensions intensify, with potential consequences for Saudi Arabia’s security, international aviation, maritime trade and the wider Middle East.
Second Houthi Strike in Two Days Kills One at Riyadh Airport
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International
Russia-Ukraine Truce in Doubt as Zelenskyy Questions Trump’s Ceasefire Announcement
Russia-Ukraine Truce in Doubt as Zelenskyy Questions Trump’s Ceasefire Announcement
United States President Donald Trump has announced an immediate energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming both countries have agreed to stop attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he was not aware of any such agreement.
Trump made the announcement on Sunday, October 11, 2026, in a post on his Truth Social platform, declaring that the ceasefire would take effect immediately.
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” Trump wrote.
However, the announcement was not immediately confirmed by either Moscow or Kyiv, raising questions about whether a formal agreement had been reached and how it would be implemented.
Zelenskyy told Axios that Trump’s announcement was the first he had heard of the purported agreement. He nevertheless indicated that Ukraine was prepared to accept a ceasefire if Russia agreed to stop its attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities.
“If President Trump negotiated it with Putin, please tell us when the ceasefire begins. We are ready and we will accept it,” Zelenskyy said.
Earlier on Sunday, the Ukrainian president reiterated Kyiv’s position that it would halt attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stopped targeting Ukraine’s power infrastructure.
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Zelenskyy stressed that any agreement must be reciprocal and backed by credible guarantees, arguing that Ukraine could stop strikes on energy infrastructure if Russia demonstrated a genuine willingness to do the same.
The disagreement highlights the diplomatic challenges facing efforts to secure a halt to attacks on critical infrastructure amid the continuing war.
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s electricity network and other energy facilities, damaging infrastructure and disrupting essential services. Ukraine, in turn, has launched drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and other strategic facilities, seeking to weaken Moscow’s ability to finance its military campaign.
Trump has criticised Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries, arguing that they contribute to disruptions in fuel supplies and higher energy prices. The issue has become increasingly significant amid pressure over rising diesel prices in the United States.
The announcement also followed a contentious diplomatic exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy. On Saturday, the US president urged Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries and suggested that Ukrainians should elect a different leader who could reach an agreement with Moscow.
Zelenskyy rejected the suggestion that Washington should determine Ukraine’s leadership, insisting that the choice belonged to the Ukrainian people. He also maintained that elections could not be held under the country’s current martial-law restrictions without the necessary changes to the security situation and legal framework.
The Ukrainian leader said he would be willing to organise elections if Russia agreed to a comprehensive 60-day ceasefire, which he argued would provide the conditions needed for a vote.
The latest dispute comes amid broader diplomatic efforts to end the war and disagreements over how much pressure should be placed on Moscow and Kyiv to make concessions.
Trump had announced a similar energy ceasefire in September, but the earlier declaration was not followed by a clearly confirmed, sustained agreement between the two countries.
The latest announcement therefore leaves key questions unresolved, including whether Russia has formally accepted the proposal, when any halt to attacks would begin, and what mechanisms would be used to monitor compliance.
For Ukraine, the immediate priority remains securing an end to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure while retaining assurances that Moscow would not use a pause to its military advantage.
For now, Trump’s declaration represents a claimed diplomatic breakthrough rather than a fully verified agreement. Whether it leads to a genuine reduction in attacks will depend on confirmation from both sides and their willingness to honour reciprocal commitments.
Russia-Ukraine Truce in Doubt as Zelenskyy Questions Trump’s Ceasefire Announcement
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International
US Names 24 More Nigerians in Fresh Fraud, Money Laundering Crackdown
The United States has named 24 more Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration authorities over alleged offences ranging from fraud and money laundering to identity theft, drug-related crimes, assault and forgery.
The names and photographs were published by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the administration of President Donald Trump continues its immigration enforcement campaign against non-US citizens accused of criminal offences.
The Nigerians were reportedly arrested in different parts of the country, with the allegations and offences listed against them varying from one individual to another.
Among those named are Emmanuel Omowaiye, listed in connection with mail fraud in Richmond, Texas; Laurene Onwuka, associated with fraud and impersonation in Chantilly, Virginia; and Olusegun Shonekan, listed for wire fraud in Newark, New Jersey.
Others include Olusegun Olaseni, associated with the sale of amphetamine in Greencastle, Indiana; Peter Ude, listed for wire fraud in Atlanta, Georgia; and Newton Jemide, whose listed offences include wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud in Fort Dix, New Jersey.
The list also names Shedrack Umukoro and Teslim Kiriji in connection with money laundering cases in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Olasoji Akinbode was listed for fraud and impersonation in Kearny, New Jersey, while Oluwatosin Afolabi was associated with fraud in Conroe, Texas.
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Alameen Adetunji Tokosi was listed in connection with drug possession in Chicago, Illinois, while Joshua Ipoade was named over wire fraud in Atlanta.
Michael Orji was associated with several alleged or recorded offences, including weapons-related violations, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering. His location was listed as Oxford, Wisconsin.
The other Nigerians named include Ahmadu Apooyin, associated with a drug-related offence in Baltimore, Maryland; Onomen Uduebor, listed for identity theft in Seattle, Washington; and Charles Ochi and Daniel Eta, associated with money laundering and wire fraud respectively in White Deer, Pennsylvania.
Ifeanyi Ibennah was listed in connection with child cruelty in Tampa, Florida, while Kazeem Runsewe was associated with wire fraud in Thomson, Illinois.
Fatiu Lawal and Bright Eigbedion were listed in connection with money laundering-related cases in Lompoc, California, while Justin Akubueze was associated with money laundering in Orem, Utah.
Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo was named in connection with larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property in Orlando, Florida. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi was listed in connection with assault in Alden, New York.
The 24 Nigerians identified in the report are Emmanuel Omowaiye, Laurene Onwuka, Olusegun Shonekan, Olusegun Olaseni, Peter Ude, Newton Jemide, Shedrack Umukoro, Olasoji Akinbode, Oluwatosin Afolabi, Alameen Adetunji Tokosi, Joshua Ipoade, Michael Orji, Ahmadu Apooyin, Teslim Kiriji, Onomen Uduebor, Charles Ochi, Daniel Eta, Ifeanyi Ibennah, Kazeem Runsewe, Fatiu Lawal, Justin Akubueze, Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo, Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi and Bright Eigbedion.
The announcement comes amid intensified US immigration enforcement, with authorities publicising arrests involving foreign nationals and pursuing immigration proceedings against individuals they consider subject to removal.
However, the information released does not provide the complete legal history or final court outcome of every case. The offences listed should therefore be understood in the context of the available records, rather than as proof that every person has been convicted of every offence mentioned.
Similarly, being named in an immigration enforcement announcement does not automatically mean that an individual has been deported. The final status of each person’s criminal and immigration proceedings would need to be confirmed separately.
The development is likely to renew attention on the position of Nigerians living in the United States, particularly those facing criminal proceedings or immigration-related action, as the Trump administration maintains its tougher approach to enforcement.
US Names 24 More Nigerians in Fresh Fraud, Money Laundering Crackdown
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