Russia has built a network of secret drone bases along its borders with Ukraine and Belarus, raising fears that its expanding long-range strike capability could eventually threaten NATO territory. Ten bases hide nearly 60 launch rails A new investigation by The Telegraph identified 10 sites containing 59 launch rails used to deploy fixed-wing drones. The facilities have already supported Russia’s relentless aerial campaign against Ukraine, but specialists found 20 of the rails had been extended to support longer-range attacks. The discovery points to a significant expansion of Moscow’s drone infrastructure. Instead of relying solely on established launch locations, Russia appears to be building a dispersed network that could make its strike capability harder to disrupt. NATO territory could move into the crosshairs The concern is no longer confined to Ukraine. Reports suggest Russia is exploring the possibility of striking Polish territory, while Romania recently reported intercepting a Russian drone after it entered its airspace. Any deliberate attack on Poland would carry far greater consequences because it is a NATO member. The alliance has repeatedly warned that it is prepared to defend allied territory, turning even a limited drone incident into a potentially dangerous escalation. Britain also faces a potential threat The Kremlin has previously claimed that Russian drones could reach Britain, fuelling concern over the potential range of the new infrastructure. Any attempted strike against the UK would be expected to face interception before causing damage, but the emergence of longer-range launch systems creates another pressure point for European security. The 10 bases therefore represent more than a battlefield development in Ukraine. They underline how Russia is expanding the reach and flexibility of its drone warfare — while NATO states face the challenge of detecting, tracking and stopping threats before they cross allied borders. With dozens of launch positions now identified, the question is no longer simply how many drones Russia can fire. It is how far Moscow intends to make them reach. Russia's 10 new secret drone bases capable of striking NATO exposed
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