AIRBORNE CARNAGE: Drones Inflict Devastation on Russian Forces

By Thierry Provost @Adobe Stock

A report reveals that drones now cause around two-thirds of Russian losses in the war in Ukraine, reports David Hambling of Forbes. They are twice as effective as every other weapon in the Ukrainian arsenal put together. While drones excel in reconnaissance and targeting, they are most effective when used alongside artillery. The report also stresses the need for NATO to enhance counter-drone capabilities. Hambling writes:

A new report from the UK defense thinktank RUSI is a trove of information gleaned from interviews with Ukrainian military personnel in frontline units. The most obvious conclusion: this is a drone war, and using drones effectively for both offense and defence is critical for armies going forward.

A key finding is that tactical drones are inflicting roughly two-thirds of Russian losses. In other words, they are twice as effective as every other weapon in the Ukrainian arsenal put together. This is a remarkable turnaround for weapons which did not officially exist in the Ukrainian military at the start of the war. It is also remarkable to see this sort of analysis from RUSI. […]

“Despite these limitations, tactical UAVs currently account for 60–70% of damaged and destroyed Russian systems.”

This supports previous Forbes reporting that small drones, and in particular FPVs, are destroying a high percentage of Russian vehicles. It is also clear that drones are causing a high proportion of casualties among Russian personnel. […]

Drones are also having a real impact on logistics, because they can attack supply lines on a massive scale. A partial solution is to switch to drone delivery: “It has even proven possible on occasion for a unit’s chefs to prepare fresh food for units and for this to be delivered in packages via UAVs to dispersed elements of the force.” Drone-delivered fast food is becoming not just a reality but a necessity.

Pervasive drone observation and strike also makes medical evacuation virtually impossible: “Put simply, existing medical doctrine is not executable under modern combat conditions.” – for the troops involved, this may be the most significant change. The lack of medical support may drive a steady shift of soldiers away from the frontlines to be replaced as far as possible by drones. […]

Finally, the report highlights the urgent need for tactical drone protection for NATO countries:

“Without counter-UAS capabilities, NATO militaries risk seeing high quality troops and equipment rapidly suffering losses for want of protection, when such effective protection is eminently achievable.” […]

This is only a preliminary report. The conflict in Ukraine is changing all the time and the technology is evolving fast. But the direction of travel seems increasingly clear and it involves drones.

Read more here.

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