Last month, Russia's Defense Minister boasted that their AI drones had been successfully deployed in Ukraine. With this, the soldiers could operate 24/7 without risking themselves in the war.
This does not mean that Ukraine will easily back down against the military giant. The new report says that its reliance on drones resulted in 80% of Russia's frontline losses. Based on dwindling ammunition supplies and increasing troop shortages, the country has depended heavily on drone warfare to keep the effort going against Moscow forces.
The Trend of Drone-Warfare Combat
As The New York Times reports, Ukrainian commanders have revealed that the military's reliance on drones is not just tactical but increasingly essential. With a notable decrease in ammunition, including fewer rockets from U.S.-supplied HIMARS missile systems, drones have filled critical gaps. The HIMARS, capable of striking targets up to 50 miles away, has become less prominent on the battlefield due to limited munitions.
"HIMARS — I barely hear them at all anymore. They're almost nonexistent," Sgt. Maj. Dmytr said in The Times' interview.
The 33-year-old drone operator added that the lack of manpower can be compensated with more munitions.
The Costly Importance of Drone Teams
Though critical, drone teams are woefully threatened. The Russians have upped their efforts to attack these units, sending glide bomb munitions, typically used to attack infrastructure, at drone operators.
Sgt. Maj. Vasyl, a drone pilot, described the peril of being a drone operator. According to him, if an enemy detects them, everything is thrown at them, suggesting that they are still highly vulnerable to attacks.
Innovative Drone Strategies and Production
Ukrainian forces have modified by using small agile first-person-view (FPV) drones to scour the surroundings and pound with direct attacks. These drones are often laden with explosives and crash into Russian armor vehicles or positions, causing huge destruction.
The domestic Ukrainian industry in drones has witnessed very tremendous growth to meet the war-surge demand. By October, Ukraine was above the annual goal of an allowance to produce one million FPV drones, explained Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk. These numbers indicate how innovative and resilient Ukraine is facing the pressures imposed by wartime.
Challenges on the Horizon
Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Western weapons and ammunition shipments have slowed, leaving Ukrainian forces to contend with limited resources. Simultaneously, recruitment struggles have put additional strain on the military, Business Insider writes.
The rapid evolution of drone warfare is a good sign that the arms race is evolving, with both Ukraine and Russia seeking technological superiority. As the conflict continues, Ukraine's reliance on drones will likely shape the future of its defense strategy. Still, this does not guarantee a 100% war win.
Indeed, drones are the life-savers for Ukrainian soldiers in terms of modern warfare, offsetting the shortfalls in labor and ammunition. Its ambitious plans for FPV drones were announced in late 2023.
This also indicates that although challenges are hard to recognize, Ukraine is not willing to give up but instead uses technology in innovative ways to overcome the odds.
