
Russia has intensified its missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, aiming to weaken Ukrainian morale and gain ground on the battlefield. In response, Ukraine is developing a “drone wall” strategy, utilizing layers of drones to create defensive corridors along key sections of the front line. This approach has already proven effective, with Ukrainian drones inflicting heavy losses on Russian forces.
“The Ukrainians are trying to expand their own drone industry to create defensive corridors along key sections of the front line, often dubbed the ‘drone wall,'” notes Mick Ryan, author of the blog Futura Doctrina. Ukrainian forces have become increasingly lethal with drone-artillery coordination, defeating Russian assaults with minimal losses.
Russian forces, however, continue to probe Ukrainian defenses, advancing in small numbers and using cars and motorbikes. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces have advanced an average of roughly 14 square kilometers per day so far this year. Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), predicts that the main Russian effort this summer will focus on key towns in Donetsk.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of drone production, stating, “We will have the same number of drones as the Russians, 300-500 per day – we are very close to it.” However, he noted that financial constraints hinder Ukraine’s ability to produce more drones. Zelensky requested $30 billion to launch Ukrainian production at full capacity.
The war’s outcome will depend on innovation, tactical agility, and the continuity of supplies from international partners. Watling expects a tough few months for Ukraine, “placing a premium on the efficiency of Ukrainian drone and artillery operations, the ability of Ukrainian commanders to preserve their troops, and the continuity of supplies flowing from Ukraine’s international partners.”
As the war enters its fourth summer, the role of drones will continue to be critical. Ukraine’s former military chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, emphasizes the need for a “high-tech war of survival,” where drones play a key role in making the economic burden of the war unbearable for Russia.