In The News

Samuel Bendett says, “These commercial drones are used to conduct surveillance, provide timely intel on the Ukrainian forces, as well as to direct artillery/MLRS/mortar strikes.”

Samuel Bendett says, “Russia was simply late to the game. Because it had different priorities after the Cold War, it didn’t think that drones would play an important part in modern warfare.”

Samuel Bendett says, “Russia has likely lost dozens of their signature strike drone, the Orlan-10, in the early days of the war.”

Samuel Bendett says, “Russia’s choice of Iran as a source for drones is logical because for the last 20 years or more Iran has been refining its drone combat force. Their drones have been in more combat than the Russians’.”

Michael Kofman says, “This is a critical time for the Ukrainian military because these are the few months during which they’re very low on artillery ammo, they’re trying to transition to Western systems.”

Michael Kofman says, “Now that they have the rest of the region, they are part of the way toward their objective which is seizing the entire territory of the donbass, a lot of the fighting is still ahead for the Russian military

Michael Kofman says, “However, that estimate is conditional on sustained Western military assistance, and is not necessarily predictive of outcomes. This is likely to be a protracted war.”

Samuel Bendett says “At this point, as one of the biggest global customers of Russian weaponry, it’s likely that Algeria may eventually acquire Russia’s top-notch technology that Moscow seeks to export.”

Samuel Bendett writes, “Over the past four months, the Russia military analysis community reevaluated earlier assumptions about Moscow’s military’s capabilities, starting from the onset of the Ukraine invasion, through today’s grinding tactics and concepts that show a more competent Russian force eventually emerging against Ukrainian defenders.”

Samuel Bendett says, “Russian-backed militias in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region have used consumer drones for years. “

Michael Kofman says, "Much hinges on whether Ukraine can retake territory at least to February 23 lines  The prospect is there, but it's contingent. If Ukraine can get that far, then it can likely take the rest. But if it can't, then it may have to reconsider how best to attain victory."

Michael Kofman says, “Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, "appears to have had a campaign across Europe to try to suppress the supply of munitions to Ukraine."

Samuel Bendett says, "We are currently witnessing a drone war. This is probably the first large-scale war where proprietary military and commercial drones are used so extensively."

Michael Kofman says, "The surprising aspect here is that Ukraine has chosen to reinforce as Russian forces inch closer to the city."

Samuel Bendett says, “In just the past several weeks, Russia has beefed up air defenses on the border and inside Ukraine.”

Samuel Bendett says, “The drones used in this war provide key ISR capability to all belligerents, along with guiding forces and munitions to targets.”