Zelensky confirms Ukraine's drones will reach 6,000 miles in 2027 — enough to cover the entirety of Russia and able to reach as far as San Francisco from Kyiv

Ukraine is now pushing for transcontinental drones

by · TechRadar

News By Efosa Udinmwen Published 1 August 2026

(Image credit: ABC News)

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  • Zelensky says Ukraine's drones will soon fly far enough to hit anywhere in Russia
  • Kyiv and Washington quietly push forward a plan to build drones on US soil
  • Ukraine's drone range could jump to 10,000 km, but engineers still face big hurdles

In a recent interview with American conservative commentator Laura Loomer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian drones should exceed 4,000 km in range in 2026.

The Ukrainian leader added that long-range drones could achieve distances between 5,000 km and 10,000 km, or about 6,000 miles, by 2027.

Such a capability would theoretically allow a drone to cover Russia’s entire territory and reach distances comparable to the route between Kyiv and San Francisco.

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Ukraine plans expanded drone cooperation with the United States

The projected increase in range forms part of Kyiv’s efforts to expand drone production through cooperation with Washington and possible manufacturing facilities inside America.

The discussions include joint production, technology exchanges, testing arrangements, and the development of production lines for advanced unmanned systems.

Ukraine has gained extensive experience with aerial drones, naval drones, and deep-strike platforms in its ongoing war with Russia.

Those battlefield developments have become central to discussions about future cooperation, as Kyiv seeks wider access to industrial capacity and advanced manufacturing resources.

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