How mid-range drones are redefining Ukraine’s war

In the relentless conflict on Ukraine’s eastern front, technology and tactics are reshaping the fight, as The Economist reveals in a vivid on-the-ground account of the Zaporizhia front. From artillery commanders commanding strikes from safe distances to the introduction of new mid-range drones capable of hitting targets deep behind enemy lines, the war is entering a new, more perilous phase — one where the battlefield extends far beyond the front lines.

At the heart of this transformation is “Cartel,” a commander with Ukraine’s 128th Mountain Assault Brigade. Operating artillery units from a house 8 kilometres behind the front, Cartel and his team rely heavily on surveillance drones to monitor war-torn farmland. The precision strikes they order showcase how modern warfare has migrated from trench-bound exchanges to remote-controlled artillery duels guided by drones. Earlier in the conflict, Ukrainian forces could station closer to the frontline, but intensified enemy drone presence and artillery forced them to withdraw deeper, with plans now underway to construct underground bunkers for protection.

The fighting across Zaporizhia remains fierce and fragmented. While no large-scale Russian offensives are anticipated here in the immediate future, clashes continue daily. A striking development is that Ukrainian troops report fewer shortages of artillery shells, a significant contrast to previous phases of the war, hinting at improvements in supply chains. Yet the nature of combat is changing drastically: the kill zone—areas vulnerable to drone strikes—is expanding from a few kilometres to as much as 15km either side of the frontline, driven by a surge in drone usage.

The next evolution comes in the form of mid-range drones, such as Ukraine’s newly trialed Shersh drone with a wingspan of 3.5 metres and an 8-kilogram payload, capable of striking targets 50-60km away. These drones fill a crucial gap between short-range kamikaze drones, which operate near the frontline, and long-range drones used for deep strikes or urban bombardments. The Shersh’s ability to fly high, evade electronic jamming, and execute sharp dive attacks with precise targeting represents a significant leap in battlefield lethality. On the other side, Russian forces deploy their own mid-range drones, like the Molniya, which, while less sophisticated and cheaper than the Shersh, outnumber their Ukrainian counterparts.

The broader tactical implications are profound. As the kill zone extends, logistics, artillery concentrations, and troop movements farther behind the front line become increasingly vulnerable. This forces both sides to rethink operational security and maneuvering. The Russian military appears strained, with a lack of manpower and motivation leading to small, poorly equipped troops sent on deadly missions, often as cannon fodder. Meanwhile, Ukrainian units emphasize a blend of technological innovation and strategic patience to counter these threats.

Local life around the frontline reveals an eerie normalization of conflict sounds, with artillery fire blending into daily rural routines. Yet for soldiers and civilians alike, proximity to the front remains deadly — being spotted within 2km of the line is essentially a death sentence due to drone surveillance and strikes.

As The Economist illustrates, the future of the war in Ukraine may be defined less by mass infantry engagements and more by drone-enabled precision strikes, electronic warfare, and AI-enhanced targeting systems. Both sides are racing to improve their mid-range drone capabilities, with costs and technological sophistication diverging but strategic consequences converging. Over the next year, these unmanned systems could shift the battlefield’s shape again, turning vast swathes of territory into lethal zones and forcing a new kind of warfare that is as much about technology as about courage on the ground.

In this evolving conflict, the war is no longer just fought at the frontline — it is fought in the skies, at distances that once seemed safe, ushering in a new era of drone warfare.

By Vugar Khalilov