A US media report says Ukraine launched more long-range attack drones than Russia for the first time last month.

Business magazine Forbes said on Thursday that figures published by the Russian defense ministry and others suggest Russia sent 426 such drones into Ukraine in July, while Ukraine hit back with over 520 drones.

The report also said, "Russia appears to be less effective at shooting down the attackers as the Ukrainian strikes appear to be causing greater economic damage on oil refineries and other targets."

It went on to say, "Ukraine may be gaining the advantage in the strategic war of long-range drone strikes."

Some experts say drones may be key weapons to change the battle situation as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.

In February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a decree creating a separate branch of the armed forces devoted to aerial and maritime drones.

He indicated that Ukraine would use the unmanned vehicles to counter Russia and would step up their production.

Ukrainian media say that while the country does not have permission to fire Western-made long-range weapons at Russian territory, the country frequently launches drone attacks, mainly using domestically-produced weapons.