Russia’s surprise success in retaking the strategic city of Kursk was largely due to its adoption of advanced drone tactics, according to military blogger Russian Engineer. The Ukrainians had held around 500 square miles of Russian territory for months, but the Russians regained control in just a few days by targeting Ukrainian supply lines with drones.
The tactic, dubbed “Drone Blitzkrieg,” involved concentrating electronic warfare assets and drones to jam Ukrainian reconnaissance systems, creating an opening for a rapid advance. The Russians then used large numbers of new fiber drones, immune to jamming, to destroy Ukrainian logistics support and isolate frontline forces.
The success was attributed to the quality over quantity of Russian drones, which allowed them to focus on destroying supply lines rather than engaging in direct combat with armored units. This approach proved effective, as evidenced by reports from Ukrainian commanders who described their vehicles being destroyed and ammunition running out due to lack of resupply.
Russian Engineer believes that this tactic represents a new round of maneuver warfare, where drones have become the focal point. The blogger sees the emergence of a “war of robots” as a key factor in breaking the stalemate between the two forces.
As Ukraine responds by building defensive netting tunnels over supply routes to protect against drone attacks, the Russians are likely stockpiling fiber drones for future operations. While the success at Kursk may not be replicated elsewhere, the new drones pose a significant challenge to Ukrainian defenses and signal the entry of drone warfare into another phase.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/03/17/new-drone-tactics-sealed-russian-victory-in-kursk