Drones have become a key weapon this winter – Ukrainian troops are increasing their capabilities

The Ukrainian Defence Forces are entering the winter period facing one of the most serious challenges since the start of the full-scale war. Russia is intensifying its offensive operations, and, according to the leadership, unmanned systems are becoming a key deterrent. It is thanks to drones that the Ukrainian military is saving lives and inflicting significant losses on the enemy. 

During a comprehensive meeting at the General Staff, it was emphasised that drones currently account for about 60 per cent of all enemy strikes. As of the end of November, aviation complexes had completed more than 304,000 combat missions, and ground-based robotic systems had completed nearly 2,000. In total, drones have destroyed or damaged about 81,500 targets, and this figure is constantly growing.

After a period of parity, Ukraine is once again ahead of the enemy in the use of FPV drones, which have become one of the main means of destruction on the battlefield. At the same time, intelligence warns that Russia is trying to reach a production rate of half a million FPVs per month and is actively creating new units.

The Ukrainian response involves an asymmetric approach: intensifying the fight against enemy drones, destroying the infrastructure of unmanned units, expanding its own forces in brigades, and increasing the training of specialists. At the meeting, commanders and operators from the front line shared their experiences on improving the survivability of positions, remote mining, and countering enemy operators. The best soldiers received awards.

‘We are working continuously to stop the enemy and inflict maximum losses on them. Glory to Ukraine,’ concluded the military leadership.