Russia is launching swarms of its deadly drones nightly over Ukraine, terrorizing the population and attacking targets from the industrial east to areas near Poland’s border. The country has increased its drone output, with more than 700 drones launched in a single night, a record. Experts predict this could soon top 1,000 drones per day.
The US has given Russia an ultimatum: reach a ceasefire or face new sanctions by early September. Moscow is likely to use this time to inflict maximum damage on Ukraine. Russia’s Defense Ministry is expanding its drone force into a separate military branch and establishing a dedicated center for improving drone tactics.
The Russian drones, modeled after Iranian Shahed drones, have been upgraded with increased altitude, jamming-resistance, and thermobaric warheads. They can carry powerful explosives and operate autonomously using artificial intelligence. The original Shahed drone was produced in Russia, while the Chinese-made Geran version has become more prevalent.
Despite international sanctions, Russia’s military spending has risen 3.4% over last year, with an estimated $200 billion budget. Over 1.5 million drones were delivered to the military last year alone. Ukraine is struggling to keep up with the rising drone attacks, relying on mobile teams armed with machine guns and developing interceptor drones.
The Kremlin plans to make drone warfare its own military branch, dubbed Unmanned Systems Troops. Russia has also developed battlefield drones that use thin fiber optic cables, allowing them to venture deeper into rear areas and target supply chains. Ukraine’s military is facing new defensive challenges, with the need to protect rear areas and entrench at greater depths.
The escalating drone war between Russia and Ukraine has significant implications for global security. As tensions rise, it’s essential to monitor this situation closely and consider the potential consequences of an all-out drone conflict.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drones-putin-attacks-0a06736dea37114aa0f351d21746912b