Russia was once the global leader in military drone and electronic warfare technology, particularly at the tactical level. However, in the 30 months since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has lost its edge in these technical areas.
In contrast, Ukraine has emerged as a world leader in these fields, with its defense industries developing increasingly advanced systems for their military.
This is especially true for drones and electronic warfare systems, which have rapidly evolved during the course of the war. Ukraine outpaced Russia in development, allowing them to deploy more advanced systems more quickly, gaining a decisive edge.
Recent Ukrainian successes in the Kursk region highlight their strengths in these technical domains. Ukrainian forces reportedly use electronic warfare systems to disable Russian drones as they advance into an area. They then deploy swarms of their own drones to locate and target Russian positions, followed by ground forces who secure the territory. This systematic approach has allowed Ukraine to make steady gains, while Russian forces have struggled to counter these tactics.
Several factors have contributed to Ukraine’s advantage over Russia in these technical areas. A 2014 RAND study identified a core issue in Russia’s lengthy defense acquisition process, which hinders the ability to integrate advances in commercial technology. This challenge is particularly critical in fields like drones and electronic warfare, which rely heavily on cutting-edge developments in autonomy, artificial intelligence, and data science.
Ukraine, on the other hand, has been building up its defense industrial base with strong ties between its commercial and defense sectors. Many companies that focused on commercial technology before the war have shifted their expertise toward developing military equipment. As a result, Ukraine now has over 200 registered companies producing military drones and 50 companies specializing in electronic warfare systems.
Russia has historically struggled with large-scale production. Before the ful-scare war, only a limited number of Russian units were equipped with modernized systems, while the majority still relied on outdated Soviet-era equipment. Concentrating advanced gear in select units proved effective in maneuver-based warfare, as seen in Russia’s occupation of Crimea in 2024, but this strategy is less effective in a war of attrition where Russian forces are spread across a 600-mile front.
Ukraine also benefits from a consistent flow of new systems and technologies from its Western allies, bolstering its development and production capabilities. In contrast, Russia’s capabilities have been constrained by trade embargoes imposed by Western countries after the invasion of Ukraine. Although Russia continues to obtain critical supplies from China, Iran, and other partners, it still faces significant shortages in key areas.
Recently, it was reported, that the British robotic dog the BAD2 model is now working the frontlines in Ukraine and being used by the Kurt & Company unit of the 28th Mechanised Brigade. Technology is the bedrock of modern warfare, and Ukraine became a pioneer in showcasing an array of advanced tech on the battlefield.
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