The Russian-Ukrainian War: A New Way of War and Emerging Trends

The Deployment of Drones in Battle and latest Developments – Impressions from the Frontline

#GIDSresearch 5/2024 I 12. Dezember 2024 I Autor: Sergej Sumlenny I Foto: Maxim Subotin

The Russo-Ukrainian war has transformed drones into pivotal battlefield tools used for a wide range of operational purposes from kamikaze strikes deep behind enemy lines to precision-guided artillery support. While some experts view drones as a revolutionary weapon shaping a new era of warfare, others highlight their limitations. This paper examines Ukraine’s drone innovations, their operational impact, and their role within broader military strategy.

About the author: Sergej Sumlenny is the founder and managing director of the European Resilience Initiative Center gGmbH (ERIC) in Berlin, a non-partisan think tank focusing on defence and foreign policy analysis. Since 2023, ERIC has also raised over € 1 million in donations to support Ukrainian Army units with drones and other electronic equipment. In November 2024, Sergej Sumlenny co-founded United Unmanned Systems, a German-Ukrainian drone manufacturing company based in Ukraine.