The Ukrainian commander-in-chief has proposed a plan to significantly increase the use of unmanned systems in an effort to overcome Russia’s military advantage and make strategic gains in the ongoing conflict. The recent success of unmanned systems in sinking a Russian missile corvette, grounding planes, and causing an oil refinery to catch fire has highlighted the potential of this approach.
Despite facing constant assaults from Russia, Ukraine has failed to capture new territories and has relied on its Western allies for financial support. The European Union approved a 50-billion-euro aid package for Ukraine, while the United States Senate unveiled a $118 billion bill that includes $60 billion for Ukraine.
Commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhny has emphasized the importance of unmanned systems in modern warfare, calling for a new state system of technological rearmament. Ukraine has pledged to build 1 million first-person viewer drones and 11,000 medium- and long-range drones to enhance its capabilities.
Recent operations have demonstrated the effectiveness of Ukraine’s use of unmanned systems, such as the strike on the Belbek airfield in western Crimea and the sinking of a Russian warship. Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov has indicated that the number of attacks using unmanned systems is likely to increase.
Ukraine has also pursued asymmetric warfare tactics, with reports of the shooting down of a Russian Tu-95 bomber and a successful hack by Ukrainian hackers into a Russian Defence Ministry server.
While facing logistical challenges and objections from some European leaders, Ukraine has received financial aid from the European Union and the United States to support its military efforts. However, despite these successes, there is speculation that Zaluzhny may be replaced, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted at major changes in the country’s leadership.