8 May 2026
Pilots of the 1st Azov Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine, have started systematically targeting and destroying Russian military supply lines in Mariupol using Hornet kamikaze drones.
The corps’ press service published video footage of the drone strikes on its social media pages.
The military said they are monitoring and patrolling roads up to 160 km behind the front line.
“Azov is returning to Mariupol, for now using a reconnaissance-strike system,” the corps stated.
Russian forces are using roads in Mariupol and surrounding areas to transport military supplies and equipment.
Drone camera footage shows that the main targets of Ukrainian strikes are Russian cargo trucks carrying troops, ammunition, and supplies, as well as fuel tankers.
The 1st Azov Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine stated that it is continuing to create a ‘sanitary zone’ targeting Russian logistics. The unit said the depth of its strikes will increase and added that it is already operating over Mariupol – currently using drones. They emphasized that this is only the beginning.
Previously, German journalist Julian Röpcke reported that the 1st Azov Corps is using Hornet kamikaze drones with artificial intelligence features to strike Russian logistics near Donetsk. A similar drone interface can be seen in the Mariupol footage, suggesting the use of comparable systems.
According to him, Starlink satellite terminals are used to maintain stable communication between operators and drones. However, detailed technical specifications of the UAV remain undisclosed.
Hornet kamikaze drone
The Hornet kamikaze drone is an aircraft-type UAV developed and produced by the US company Perennial Autonomy, owned by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
Hornet kamikaze drone. May 2026. Photo: Kammen Taylor
The Hornet is designed to strike enemy military equipment and concentrations of personnel at long range. A key feature of this kamikaze drone in its class is the extensive integration of artificial intelligence elements. Its exact flight range is not publicly disclosed, but it is estimated to be over 100 km, while the warhead weight is up to 5 kg.
Preparation for launching a Hornet kamikaze drone in Germany. March 2026. Photo credits: Thomas Dixon.
US Army soldiers have also begun training to use Hornet kamikaze drones, which have been tested in Ukraine, during a series of exercises held in Europe.
I take solace of the stupid ceasefire by watching cockroaches getting fried.
Did you not see the decree Zelensky posted. I just published it? 🤣
Yes, I did.
55.754413 37.617733 — near the State Duma / Manezhnaya Square
55.755205 37.619181 — northern edge of Red Square
55.753351 37.622854 — east of Red Square, near the GUM department store
55.752504 37.621538 — directly near St. Basil’s Cathedral
Everything else is open to attack? We’ll see.
I hope so. As Zelensky stated, what happens today will determine what happens tomorrow. I bet putler is very nervous in his bunker right now.