Drones are changing the course of the Ukraine war. China is watching
- Their ‘pivotal role’ in the conflict provides lesson for Chinese military, analyst says
- Hundreds of reconnaissance and attack drones fly over Ukraine and Russia each day
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Russia invaded Ukraine 1 year ago. What has happened so far?
Hundreds of reconnaissance and attack drones fly over Ukraine and Russia each day, launched by both sides, and it has been called the first full-scale drone war in history.
In a report released late last year, the US Air Force’s Air University said the Ukrainian military – without a large conventional air force – had employed a number of drones to “devastating effect against Russian forces”.
Last week’s drone attacks were said to have targeted several areas in southern and western Russia, although no major damage was reported.
One drone used by Ukraine is the Bayraktar TB2 – a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle made by a Turkish firm. In April, a TB2 believed to have been launched from Ukraine reportedly flew at least 150km (93 miles) into Russian territory and hit two oil depots.
The Ukrainian military also reportedly has small and nimble locally made Punisher drones in its arsenal, as well as the Warmate, which is produced in Poland and is known as a loitering munition system or suicide drone – they seek out a target and explode on impact.
