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Drones play a significant role in the Ukraine war. Without a large conventional air force, the Ukrainian military has utilized a wide range of high-end and low-end imported and domestically produced drones to strike against Russian forces.
The most famous is the Baykar Bayraktar TB2. In addition to this well-known combat-proven drone, both sides now have other drones for combat. This article analyzes the drones being used by Ukraine and Russia, their impact on the battlefield, and implications for future combat.
I. Background
The Russian “special operation” began on February 24, 2022. This planned operation quickly turned into a war of attrition.
Under Putin’s leadership, the Russian military adopted tactics similar to those used in the Second Chechen War. Putin further refined these tactics—”encircle, destroy, and take over”—heavily relying on aerial power from Syria and private military contractors.
Despite Western intelligence estimates that Russia would control Ukraine within four to five days, as of October 20, 2022, the Russian military had failed to control areas directly bordering Russia, including Luhansk, Donetsk, Mariupol, and the surrounding regions of Kherson. Additionally, Russia failed to seize and control Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, which was Putin’s primary objective.
While this article primarily focuses on informing readers about the impact of drones on the Ukrainian battlefield, it is worth noting that the role of drones has not yet been clearly defined in security research literature. Some analysts argue that drones are indeed a revolutionary technology. Others disagree, believing their role in reshaping conflicts is minimal. However, the truth may lie somewhere in between. The Ukraine war will certainly provide clearer insights into the role of drones in conflicts. Yet, this analysis does not take a stance on this critical topic in its early stages of use.
This article adopts the U.S. Department of Defense’s definition of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS): “its components include the necessary equipment, networks, and personnel to control the unmanned aircraft system.” The term “drone” is commonly used to describe unmanned aircraft systems.
II. Drones in Ukraine
When Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the country inherited outdated defense infrastructure, including over 750 factories and 140 research institutes, accounting for 30% of the Soviet defense industry. After Russia’s seizure of Crimea in 2014, the country accelerated the development of defense technologies and began modernizing its military. These efforts included collaboration with many Western countries to acquire advanced military hardware and software.
In this regard, when Russia launched its special military operation in February 2022, Ukraine’s domestic military drone technology was still relatively young. Many of the drones deployed by Ukraine against Russia were purchased from abroad, with Turkey being the largest supplier before the war began.
1. Baykar Bayraktar TB2
The Baykar Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle that, according to the manufacturer, can perform remote-controlled or autonomous flight operations. This highly popular drone is manufactured by the Turkish defense company Baykar Defense. The manufacturer’s primary goal was to create a cheaper alternative to Western drones, primarily for the Turkish armed forces. Although it cannot compete with advanced U.S. drones like the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper or Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, its appeal lies in its brutally efficient cost-effectiveness on the battlefield.
The TB2 can fly at altitudes of up to 25,000 feet for nearly 24 hours. It measures 6.5 meters (approximately 21 feet) in length, has a wingspan of 12 meters (approximately 39 feet), and a maximum takeoff weight of 650 kilograms (1433 pounds). Commonly referred to as Bayraktar, it can be equipped with four laser-guided bombs. Notably, these bombs have proven to be very effective against Russian tanks and other armored vehicles.
Before its deployment in Ukraine, this drone had been used in Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan. The Ukrainian armed forces began procuring the Bayraktar TB2 and later upgraded to the TB2 as part of their military modernization program. Outnumbered in personnel and weapons, and primarily relying on indomitable resolve, the Ukrainian military found this drone to be a highly effective force multiplier.
Ukraine’s arsenal now includes dozens of TB2s. They are used to destroy multiple rocket launch systems, armored tanks, and personnel carriers. In recent months, Ukraine may have also used these drones to strike two oil depots within Russia, pushing the war beyond the front lines and embarrassing Russia’s air defense systems. These drones have also been employed for reconnaissance and surveillance.
However, the TB2 also has its limitations and is certainly not invincible. Given the spread of Russian disinformation and misinformation, it is challenging to effectively assess the drone’s exact performance. According to sources related to Russia, TB2s are frequently shot down. Given the relatively simple technology used in the TB2, losses to advanced Russian air defense systems are not surprising. The balance between relatively inexpensive drones and more advanced drones may be one of the most interesting aspects of Ukraine’s use of the TB2.
2. Punisher
In addition to the TB2, the Ukrainian military is also using a small, agile domestic drone called the “Punisher,” which has successfully completed numerous missions against Russian forces. This drone is designed and manufactured by UA Dynamics, a company operated by veterans of the Crimea conflict. The company describes the drone as “reusable, fast, unexpected, precise, and lethal.”
The “Punisher” has a combat payload of 2 kilograms (4.5 pounds), a range of 45 kilometers (28 miles), and a cruising speed of 43 knots. It has a wingspan of 2.3 meters (6.5 feet) and can fly at an altitude of 400 meters (1200 feet), executing missions lasting up to 90 minutes. Its small size and low altitude allow it to penetrate deep behind enemy lines with minimal risk of detection before returning for quick service in 5 to 7 minutes. Reportedly, this combination of characteristics enables the Punisher drone to strike supply lines.
3. Quadcopters
The Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces are training volunteers in drone tactics, including making and deploying incendiary devices in combat against Russian forces. Ukrainian drones inspired by DJI (a Chinese manufacturer of small quadcopters) add another layer to Ukraine’s defense. This drone is a quadcopter that can maintain high-altitude flight while carrying homemade incendiary devices, reportedly capable of being remotely triggered to drop explosives. The front-facing camera appears to be angled directly downward, possibly to clearly see the intended target below. The Ukrainian military is using consumer drones to attack Russian forces rather than for surveillance, further demonstrating the innovative applications of drones generated by the Ukraine war.
4. Warmate Kamikaze Drone
Warmate 1 is a micro loitering munition developed by the Polish company WB Electronics. This drone has a flat shape, with wings mounted in the center and a V-tail, weighing approximately 5.3 kilograms (12 pounds) and capable of speeds close to 150 kilometers (93 miles) per hour. It can stay airborne for about 70 minutes, with a working range of about 15 kilometers (9 miles) and a payload capacity of 1.4 kilograms (3 pounds). The drone’s control system allows an operator to control it automatically or manually to the desired location. Ukraine uses this drone for surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as to attack Russian positions.
5. Switchblade (Miniature Loitering Munition Drone)
In March 2022, the Biden administration provided Ukraine with U.S.-made “Switchblade” drones as part of a military aid package, transferring about 100 drones. The Switchblade comes in two variants—300 and 600. The 300 is designed for precision strikes against personnel, while the larger 600 is intended to destroy tanks and other armored vehicles. The effectiveness of the Switchblade on the battlefield remains unknown.
6. Tupolev Tu-141 Strizh (Soviet Reconnaissance Drone)
Ukraine’s arsenal also includes the Soviet-era jet-powered Tupolev Tu-141 Strizh drone, a large high-altitude unmanned aerial system. Although the Tu-141 was designed for reconnaissance, it can also attack enemy positions, albeit with limited success in past conflicts. Following Russia’s invasion in 2014, Ukraine upgraded the platform and deployed a useful fleet of Tu-141s. This drone resembles a cruise missile more than a traditional drone. It is launched from a trailer-mounted rocket and flies along a predetermined route at subsonic speeds.
While flying along a pre-specified path, the Tu-141 can collect various forms of intelligence. After the flight, the drone deploys a parachute for recovery, allowing it to be reused. In March 2022, a weaponized Tu-141 caused panic among NATO member states when it took off from western Ukraine, traversed Romanian and Hungarian airspace, and crashed in Zagreb, Croatia. Neither the Croatian nor Ukrainian governments issued an official statement regarding who launched the drone. According to sources close to the Croatian Ministry of Defense, the downed drone belonged to Ukraine and was carrying bombs to strike Russian positions but deviated from its flight path, ran out of fuel, and crashed. As of the publication of this article, Russia reported that an improved version of the Tu-141 attacked two Russian air bases hundreds of miles from the Ukrainian border.
III. Drones in Russia
Despite being the world’s second-largest arms exporter and producing advanced aerospace systems, Russia’s drones are not among the most advanced in the world. Nevertheless, in recent years, the country seems to have placed a high priority on the importance of drones in modern warfare, with a sharp increase in interest in drone development.
Clearly, Russia lags behind the West in this field, both in commercial and defense technology. However, based on its ability to develop complex aerospace systems, Russia is expected to master the capabilities required to design and manufacture high-performance drones. Currently, Russia is using domestically produced drones in Ukraine, prompting many Western companies to cease cooperation with Russian firms. Additionally, the sanctions currently in place may hinder Russia’s efforts to catch up with Western and Chinese drone manufacturers, especially since key technology transfers remain part of the technological sanctions.
1. Kalashnikov KYB
The Kalashnikov KYB drone was launched by Zala Aero in 2019 and is a blended-wing drone with upward-curving wingtips. The aircraft is over a meter wide and over a meter long, with a flight time of 30 minutes. It typically cruises at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour (50 miles) but can reach speeds of 130 kilometers per hour (78 miles) over short distances. Its payload capacity is 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds). Shortly after the invasion began, Russian ground forces began using this drone to attack targets within Ukraine. The Ukrainian military has found at least two KYB drones—evidence of their use by Russia during the invasion.
2. Eleron-3SV (Eleron 3SV)
The Eleron-3SV drone was developed by the Russian company ENICS in 2013. This drone uses optical and electronic tools for all-weather reconnaissance, with a working range of 25 kilometers (15 miles). It can stay airborne for two hours. The Eleron-3SV has been operational in the Donbas region since 2015 and has been used in the Syrian theater. These drones have been deployed by Russia in Ukraine, and reports indicate that the Ukrainian military has captured two of them.
3. Orlan-10
The Orlan-10 drone is a medium-range, multi-purpose drone developed by the Special Technology Center in St. Petersburg. This drone entered the war early on, with Russia using it to attack Ukrainian military assets and for aerial reconnaissance and electronic warfare. For surveillance and reconnaissance purposes, this drone is typically used in groups of two to three.
The first drone is used for reconnaissance at an altitude of 1-1.5 kilometers (4,000-6,000 feet) over the target; the second drone is used for electronic warfare; and the third sends surveillance information to the control center. The drone’s maximum speed is 150 kilometers per hour (90 miles), with an operational range of 140 kilometers (80 miles). It can fly for up to 16 hours, with a service ceiling of 5,000 meters (15,000 feet). Its capabilities are not fully understood, but many of its functions are similar to those of previously described drones.
4. Forpost-R
The Forpost-R is the Russian licensed production version of the Israeli IAI Searcher II drone. The Forpost-R has a maximum speed of 200 kilometers per hour (120 miles), a mission endurance window of about 18 hours, and a service ceiling of 20,000 feet. This drone made its first flight on August 23, 2019, and was integrated into the Russian armed forces in 2020. The primary objective of the Forpost-R is reconnaissance, with the 500-kilogram (1200-pound) aircraft equipped with improved radar identification equipment and other reconnaissance devices. On March 11, 2022, a Russian Forpost-R drone was destroyed by the Ukrainian military. The Ukrainian military claimed that this drone had entered Polish airspace before re-entering Ukrainian airspace and was shot down there.
5. Orion-E
The Orion-E combat drone is considered Russia’s best unmanned attack aircraft. The Russian military first used the Orion-E in combat against forces opposing the Assad regime in Syria. The Russian Ministry of Defense even claims that the drone has “fighter-like” capabilities.
This drone is developed by Kronshtadt and comes in two variants: one for export, the Orion-E, and another for use by the Russian military, the Inokhodets. It is a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone, with a maximum flight altitude of about 8,000 meters (25,000 feet) and can stay airborne for up to 24 hours. The drone’s cruising speed can reach 200 kilometers per hour (120 miles), with a maximum payload of 250 kilograms (550 pounds). It features a turret under the nose equipped with electro-optical and infrared cameras, and has a laser target designator for launching guided weapons.
The Orion-E can carry up to four air-to-ground missiles, with its arsenal including KAB-20 and KAB-50 adjustable aerial bombs, UPAB-50 guided glide bombs, and X-50 guided missiles. The drone is expected to soon deploy electronic warfare systems. Russia has not disclosed how many “Orion” drones are in Ukraine, but claims that the drone has been successfully used to attack Ukrainian positions. Meanwhile, online photographic evidence shows that Ukrainians have shot down at least one Orion-E. As previously indicated in discussions about Russian drones in Ukraine, claims regarding the most advanced drones in the IT field are certainly questionable. Implying that Russia lacks dominance may be a generous description of the state of Russian capabilities. Simply put, Russian drones are rarely seen in Ukraine. This failure has led analysts focusing on the Ukraine war to speculate that Russia is reserving drones for future escalations of conflict.
Others suggest that logistical issues have limited the use of drones—widespread reports of abandoned and damaged Russian military vehicles support this. This has led some to conclude that Russia may not be able to support drone operations in Ukraine. According to other experts, one of the biggest reasons may be a lack of trust in domestic technology in the early stages.
Ukraine and Russia’s offensive use of drones is roughly comparable, although the impact on the battlefield differs between the two countries. This is partly because Ukraine is in a favorable position against drone technology. Ukraine has an advantage in this regard, having collaborated with Western armies and defense companies after 2014.
In recent years, the Russian defense sector’s progress in drone development has been hampered by Western technology embargoes and a lack of sufficient domestic industrial base. In the initial months of Russia’s special operation, the logistical and technical support Ukraine received from Western companies (including in the drone and anti-drone fields) exceeded expectations, giving Ukraine a clear advantage in this area. Whether this advantage remains as the war evolves into a protracted conflict remains to be seen. Western assistance may or may not exceed Russia’s efforts to close the gap.
IV. Countering Drones
Russia has deployed advanced electronic warfare systems in Ukraine to comprehensively protect aerial assets, including Ukrainian drones. Russian tactics include simultaneously deploying Krasukha-2/4, R-330ZH Zhitel, and RB-301B Borisoglebsk-2 ground-based electronic warfare systems, which use a combination of jamming and deception. Each system is designed to target different elements of the electromagnetic spectrum. Russia also utilizes these systems to conduct reconnaissance on Ukrainian radio communications, and once targets are identified, they are jammed.
The Ukrainian military has successfully struck some of Russia’s electronic warfare systems. Additionally, they have captured the command cabin of the Krasukha-4, which is considered the most advanced system developed by Russia.
The Krasukha-2 system is also in Russia’s arsenal, consisting of three vehicles based on the Kamaz-6350 truck, capable of jamming airborne early warning and control systems within a range of 250 kilometers (150 miles). It can also jam other airborne radars, such as radar-guided missiles. The Krasukha-4 is similar to the Krasukha-2 but can also effectively jam low-orbit satellites and cause permanent damage to target radio electronic devices. The truck-based R-330ZH Zhitel system can jam satellite communication devices, navigation systems, and mobile phones within a radius of 30 kilometers (20 miles). Although these systems were not initially designed for anti-drone activities, they can be useful if used correctly.
V. Conclusion
Looking back at nine months of the Ukraine war, it is clear that the TB2 and other combat drones involved in the conflict are making a beneficial contribution to the war. However, they are unlikely to become a decisive factor against the Russian military, which has more manpower and long-range artillery.
For soldiers, the fear of unseen drone attacks only adds to the anxiety of war. The fear of the unseen leads to a sense of helplessness, which undermines hope.
The Ukraine war clearly demonstrates that drones are changing the dynamics of warfare. For Ukraine, air power primarily manifests in the form of drones, a first among great powers. Military drone technology is rapidly becoming central to warfare. Given the relative cost-effectiveness of drones—compared to similar manned aircraft—they are challenging existing assumptions about the use of air power, allowing smaller adversaries to effectively engage in aerial combat.
Turkey is the manufacturer of the most popular drones in Ukraine’s arsenal, with its defense budget being only a fraction of that of the United States. Nevertheless, the country is still managing to develop and export powerful, cost-effective drones. Having played roles in Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan, Turkey has succeeded despite Western technological embargoes. If the first few months of the Ukraine war have taught us anything about the current and future state of drones in warfare, it is that they will attract countries that cannot afford expensive manned fighter jets. The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan is already an example. These countries will rely on drones and develop new tactics, technologies, and procedures to use drones in unexpected ways.
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