Zelenskyy advocates for a shift in Russia's governmental structure
In the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, drone warfare has emerged as a central element, with both nations rapidly advancing their unmanned capabilities to shape battlefield dynamics and strategic outcomes.
Ukraine, bolstered by Western support, has effectively integrated a wide range of drones—air, ground, and sea—into its military operations. Ukrainian drones, including first-person view (FPV) drones, have been instrumental in targeting and destroying Russian armored vehicles, artillery, trenches, and critical infrastructure, accounting for approximately 70% of confirmed Russian losses in some assessments. The use of drone swarms and operations deep inside Russian territory have damaged numerous Russian military aircraft and disrupted supply lines. Ukrainian ground drones support frontline combat by storming trenches, delivering supplies, and evacuating wounded soldiers, while marine drones have pressured the Russian Black Sea Fleet and reportedly destroyed helicopters and fighter jets. This multi-domain drone employment significantly offsets Russia’s conventional military strengths.
On the Russian side, drone utilization focuses on both offensive and defensive measures but faces challenges. Russia has launched waves of drone and missile attacks against Ukrainian cities and military targets. In response to Ukraine’s drone threat, Russia has developed and deployed advanced electronic warfare (EW) and anti-drone systems, such as the KOP-2 Detection and Suppression Complex and the Radion-O system, aimed at detecting, jamming, and suppressing Ukrainian drones, especially near critical infrastructure and air defense systems. Russian forces have also extended the operational range of their Lancet attack drones from 35-40 km to 80-110 km in 2025. Russia continues to build up its drone production and technological base to support war efforts but still contends with damaging Ukrainian drone strikes and the increasing dominance Ukraine gains through innovative drone tactics.
As the conflict continues, the evolving unmanned warfare paradigm will likely influence frontline engagements and strategic balances on both sides. Meanwhile, the focus on drone warfare has also extended beyond the battlefield, with OpenAI announcing plans to expand its Stargate data center project into Norway, planning a 290-megawatt installation powered by renewable energy.
References: [1] "How drones are changing the Ukraine-Russia conflict." BBC News. 15 June 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57126764 [2] "Ukraine's drone warfare: A game-changer in the Ukraine-Russia conflict." Defense News. 20 June 2025. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/06/20/ukraines-drone-warfare-a-game-changer-in-the-ukraine-russia-conflict/ [3] "Russia's response to Ukraine's drone threat." Jane's International Defense Review. 25 June 2025. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/russias-response-to-ukraines-drone-threat [4] "The impact of drone warfare on the Ukraine-Russia conflict." The Diplomat. 30 June 2025. https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/the-impact-of-drone-warfare-on-the-ukraine-russia-conflict/
Politics and general news outlets have reported on the significant role of drone warfare in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, with both nations utilizing these unmanned vehicles in various ways. Despite Russia's development of advanced electronic warfare and anti-drone systems, Ukraine has effectively employed drone technology for offensive, defensive, and support roles, accounting for a large portion of Russian losses.
