War in Ukraine

Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians live in parts of the Donetsk region that remain under Ukrainian control. Vladimir Putin’s demand that these lands be handed over to Russia is an unacceptable term of any negotiation. Here’s why.

Not long ago, Ukraine’s offensive capabilities were limited—the weapons it received couldn’t be used against military targets inside Russia without outside approval, slowing the country down at critical moments. Now, having learned from that experience, Ukraine is relying on itself to take control of the war it didn’t start.

Ukraine’s Magura sea drone operations against Russian vessels have proved that you don’t need a traditional navy to take on enemy warships or break a blockade. A small drone can inflict massive damage at a fraction of the cost of the vessels it destroys.

Following non-democratic elections in 2018, Nicolás Maduro retained power in Venezuela, triggering mass protests that left dozens dead. As Washington refused to recognize the results and Caracas severed diplomatic ties, Moscow began supplying Maduro’s regime with advanced military technology that would help it consolidate control.

Groot and Xerox, twin Mavic drone pilots with Ukraine’s Kara-Dag brigade, have been on the frontlines since 2022. Once in the infantry, they now operate in the Kupiansk direction, flying just two kilometers from intensifying fighting.

Every weapon eventually meets a countermeasure. But what about fiber-optic drones? Their growing deployment on both Ukrainian and Russian fronts has compelled armed forces to develop tactics and systems to counter this relatively new threat.