Ukraine's drone warfare: a new era of combat

The ongoing war in Ukraine has radically transformed the landscape of modern warfare. What once resembled the static, trench-based battles of World War I has evolved into a dynamic, drone-dominated battlefield. The skies over the frontlines are now filled with drones, which have not only reshaped tactics but also made the concept of a solid front line almost obsolete.

According to an analysis by Politico, drones have become a critical tool in this new kind of warfare. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used for reconnaissance, target elimination, and logistical disruption. Some drones are equipped with cameras and thermal detectors, while others carry bombs and firearms. Many drones lie in wait on the ground, activated by the movement of soldiers or vehicles.

The technology behind these drones is sophisticated, using electronic signals or fibre-optic cables that are nearly impossible to jam. In this high-tech environment, counter-drones have been deployed to detect and disable these airborne threats, while drone operators often work from positions far behind the frontlines.

As a result, the traditional front lines of war have dissolved into a chaotic "gray zone" extending up to 20 kilometres from the front. In this zone, drones relentlessly hunt for soldiers, while logistical efforts are severely hampered. The wounded are often left stranded, unable to be evacuated due to the deadly drone presence, and supplies of food, water, and ammunition struggle to reach the troops. The airspace is constantly contested, and any position detected by drones is quickly targeted.

Colonel Pavlo Palisa, a senior Ukrainian official and former battlefield commander, emphasised the shift in tactics:

“We have now switched to a drone-versus-drone war.” He explained how drones are capable of ambushing and intercepting enemy logistics, disrupting supply lines and making it increasingly difficult to hold ground. "If you are detected, every weapon in the area will immediately rush to destroy you."

The importance of drones has only grown since the war began in 2022. Early on, Ukraine celebrated the success of Turkish-made Bayraktar drones, which were instrumental in disrupting Russian armoured columns. However, as the conflict has evolved, both sides have adapted.

By 2023-2024, the war had moved away from trench warfare toward more fluid, mobile combat. Ukrainian forces, outnumbered and outgunned, created strongpoints and observation posts, relying heavily on drones to compensate for a shortage of conventional artillery.

In response, Russian forces adapted by deploying smaller assault units. Instead of mass "meat-wave" attacks, Russia now conducts smaller, more elusive raids. Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine’s South Command, described the process: “It takes time for Russians to assemble a storming group. They are crawling, hiding.”

He explained that fog and rain, which hinder drone operations, provide Russian troops with a window of opportunity to infiltrate Ukrainian positions.

The battlefield has become a "kill zone," with Russian forces attempting to strip away any cover, turning the landscape into a barren wasteland. 

"The Russian army is trying to make a kill zone as wide as possible, destroying all buildings and shelters with pinpoint strikes,” said Voloshyn.

Drones also pose significant challenges for logistics and evacuation. Traditional methods of delivering supplies or evacuating wounded soldiers have become perilous. As Palisa noted, drones have taken over roles that were once handled by personnel:

"Drones became handy when it comes to delivery and evacuation, battle reconnaissance and distance mining."

However, with drones filling these roles, the front has become an increasingly hazardous place. Soldiers often spend weeks at the front without rotation, as even simple logistics tasks have become deadly.

In addition to physical challenges, morale has suffered as troops are forced to endure prolonged stints in harm’s way.

"An infantryman who once sat at zero in a hole for 60 to 165 days will not go there again," said Mykola Bielieskov, a research fellow at the Ukrainian National Institute for Strategic Studies.

The protracted nature of the conflict, compounded by the deadly impact of drones, is wearing down soldiers on both sides.

The war has also reshaped battlefield medicine. With drones rendering traditional evacuation routes nearly impossible, medical teams now rely on "video medicine" to treat the wounded. Daryna, an anesthesiologist with the Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, described how drones are used to guide medics remotely:

“On a video, we can see how the tourniquet was applied. Then we can contact the fellow soldiers of a wounded soldier and direct them how to properly help him.”

Despite these innovations, the complexities of this new kind of warfare are daunting. As Bielieskov pointed out, there is no clear doctrine on how to defend against these threats: "This is the recipe for Russian slow advances — the squeezing effect."

By Sabina Mammadli