ukraine-s-drone-innovations-transform-modern-warfare-tactics

Ukraine's drone programme is rapidly evolving on the frontlines of its defence against Russia, adapting to counter Moscow's battlefield dominance.

 

With an emphasis on affordability and innovation, Ukrainian soldiers and manufacturers have developed drones capable of intercepting spy drones, planting mines, and deploying molten metal to target enemy positions.

 

These technological advancements have transformed Ukraine's drone capabilities, which once focused on dropping small bomblets, into a multifaceted aerial force. Ukraine is now leveraging these drones for various purposes, from delivering supplies to launching more complex attacks.

 

Adapting to a Larger Adversary

 

Ukraine's military, smaller and less well-funded than Russia’s, has turned to technology as a means of countering its adversary’s might.

 

This shift is driven by necessity, as the country's drone developers work closely with soldiers to ensure their designs are battle-ready. In recent months, Ukraine’s drones have been used to intercept Russian reconnaissance drones and destroy tree lines with incendiary substances.

 

These developments have been essential for Ukraine to gain a tactical advantage on the battlefield. However, Russia often quickly copies Ukrainian innovations, mass-producing them to neutralise Ukraine's tactical edge. As a result, Ukrainian drone manufacturers have had to remain agile, constantly updating and refining their designs.

 

The Ukrainian government has encouraged this innovation by offering tax breaks to drone manufacturers, leading to the production of hundreds of thousands of small, cost-effective quadcopters. "That's how we evolve," said a founding member of the drone manufacturer Wild Hornets.

 

Four key innovations in Ukraine's drone strategy are currently reshaping the battlefield.

1. Drone-on-Drone Combat

One of the most significant challenges faced by defence companies worldwide has been finding a solution to the threat posed by cheap aerial drones.

 

Ukraine has made progress in this area by using its own drones to counter Russian reconnaissance aircraft. Instead of relying on expensive methods like lasers, jammers, or nets, Ukrainian forces deploy small quadcopters and fixed-wing drones that fly faster and higher than standard Russian drones.

 

These drones are equipped with digital communication systems that transmit high-quality images, allowing Ukrainian operators to identify and target enemy aircraft effectively.

 

This approach has proven cost-effective, as each drone costs as little as $700, a stark contrast to the hundreds of thousands of dollars required for surface-to-air missiles.

 

Ukrainian activist Serhiy Sternenko, who raises funds to buy drones for the military, described the drone-on-drone combat as “Russia-slaying in the skies.” He added that the tactic has also been effective in taking down two Russian helicopters.

 

As a result, Russian reconnaissance drones have become less visible over some cities. On the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers have reported a noticeable decline in enemy reconnaissance activity.

 

“There is much less reconnaissance flying in the air than three months ago,” said a Ukrainian platoon commander. This reduction has limited Russia’s artillery effectiveness, potentially allowing Ukraine to deploy its Western-supplied anti-aircraft systems closer to the front lines.

 

However, Russia is adapting, disguising its drones as Ukrainian and equipping them with rearview cameras. To counter this, Ukraine is developing drones capable of intercepting Iranian-made Shahed drones, which Russia has deployed alongside missiles to overwhelm Ukraine's air defences.

 

Sternenko confirmed that prototypes are already in development, with a larger air-defence system being constructed to protect Ukrainian cities.

2. ‘Dragon’s Breath’

The fighting in Ukraine often takes place in forested areas, with troops using tree cover to avoid detection by enemy drones. To expose these positions, Ukraine has developed the ‘Dragon’s Breath’ drone, which drops thermite—a mixture of finely powdered aluminium and iron oxide that burns at extremely high temperatures—onto enemy positions.

 

This incendiary mixture can destroy equipment, provisions, and camouflage, making enemy troops vulnerable to further drone attacks.

 

Russian forces quickly copied this tactic, deploying similar drones soon after. “A good gauge of what’s effective is if the Russians try to copy it,” said weapons analyst Matthew Moss.

3. ‘Queen of Hornets’

Ukraine's innovation extends to weaponised drones like the ‘Queen of Hornets.’ On the front line, Ukrainian soldiers have fitted this quadcopter with a grenade launcher. During a successful test run, drone pilot Mykhailo Kudliak flew the device towards a vehicle wreckage and fired.

 

Traditional armed drones often detonate upon impact or drop their munitions from above, making them vulnerable to electronic jamming.

 

By equipping drones with grenade launchers that can fire from a distance, Ukraine has been able to bypass the electronic countermeasures that Russian forces use to protect their positions.

 

Locking onto moving targets remains a challenge, but incorporating artificial intelligence to assist with targeting could improve the hit rate, according to Moss.

 

Ukraine is also experimenting with drones armed with assault rifles, though they are currently limited in range and ammunition. The aim is to reduce infantry exposure by engaging enemy positions remotely. “The dream is to sit in a lounge somewhere, open up our laptops and start fighting,” said drone platoon commander Serhiy Ihnatuka.

4. Mother Ship Drones

Early in the war, Ukrainian drones were only capable of carrying small payloads. Today, models like the ‘Vampire’ can transport up to 20 pounds of explosives.

 

This development has expanded their use to resupply troops and lay mines behind enemy lines.

 

The ‘Queen of Hornets’ drone can hover at low altitudes, allowing it to deposit its load without sustaining damage. While battery life limits a drone’s range, both Russia and Ukraine are using larger drones like the Vampire as ‘mother ships.’

 

These larger drones transport smaller, one-way munitions-carrying drones to extend their reach and strike targets that would otherwise be out of range.

 

“If you can fly a larger drone undetected and hit targets that aren’t expecting to be hit, that’s very valuable,” said Moss.

The Future of Warfare

Ukraine’s drone innovations are changing the nature of warfare by providing a flexible, cost-effective response to Russian military tactics. By maintaining close collaboration between soldiers and manufacturers, Ukraine ensures its technology evolves rapidly to meet battlefield demands.

 

While Russia’s ability to quickly replicate Ukrainian innovations is a challenge, the constant development of new tactics and technologies keeps Ukraine in the fight.

 

With drones capable of a range of actions, from reconnaissance to direct attacks, the battlefield has become an increasingly complex and technologically advanced space.