UAV event in Donetsk, Mariupol' area, Ukraine on Mon 12th January 2026

Drones of the Unmanned Systems Forces struck a Russian ammunition depot and two electrical substations in the temporarily occupied Donetsk region during the night of January 12–13.

Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, reported the attack and released video footage of the strikes.

Personnel of the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces and the Kairos Battalion of the 414th Madyar’s Birds Brigade, in coordination with the newly established Deep Strike Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces Grouping, executed the operation.

The first target was the 330 kV Myrna electrical substation in Russian-occupied Mariupol. Video footage shows drones striking the facility, followed by a fire.

The damaged substation is reported to be a key system node in the power supply network and a transit station for the Azovska substation.

Ukrainian drones then carried out strikes on the 220 kV Azovska electrical substation in the settlement of Staryi Krym.

According to the Unmanned Systems Forces commander, it is a critical element of the region’s industrial energy supply and operates in the interests of the Russian defense industry.

Also during the night, Ukrainian drones blew up a rocket and artillery weapons depot of the Russian occupation army in Makiivka. In addition, they attacked the invaders’ positions on the territory of a local oil depot.

Earlier that evening, local residents of the settlement recorded on video a large fire and explosions at the site belonging to the Russian invaders.

The scale of the fire indicates the loss of significant stockpiles of the invaders, which could directly affect their capabilities in this sector.

Makiivka is used by Russia as a major logistics hub for its grouping of troops in the Donetsk region. They deploy their forces and equipment there, including at civilian facilities.

On the morning of January 13, the Ukrainian Defense Forces, using domestically produced missiles, struck the facilities of the Russian Molniya UAV manufacturer in the city of Taganrog.