1/ Ukraine’s drone revolution is forcing Europe to confront an...
David Kirichenko@DVKirichenko
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Nov 19, 2025
~11 min read
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1/ Ukraine’s drone revolution is forcing Europe to confront an uncomfortable truth: you can’t defend a continent with million-dollar missiles against $20k drones.
What Ukraine learned through survival, Europe is learning through necessity.
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What Ukraine learned through survival, Europe is learning through necessity.
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2/ Across Europe, cheap drones have shut down airports and crossed borders.
Officials say Russia is likely behind some of these flights, testing how NATO reacts.
Hybrid warfare grows: telegraph.co.uk/world-news/202…
Officials say Russia is likely behind some of these flights, testing how NATO reacts.
Hybrid warfare grows: telegraph.co.uk/world-news/202…
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3/ The cost gap is huge:
• A Patriot interceptor can cost several million for example.
• A Shahed-style drone can cost $30k–$60k
Not many other options are scalable, even deploying helicopters across the front.
Europe can’t win trading expensive shots for cheap targets.
• A Patriot interceptor can cost several million for example.
• A Shahed-style drone can cost $30k–$60k
Not many other options are scalable, even deploying helicopters across the front.
Europe can’t win trading expensive shots for cheap targets.
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4/ Romania tracked RU drones instead of shooting them because it was simply too expensive (they argue dangerous as well).
Polish FM: “It is uneconomical and impractical to be defending our space with F-35s using Sidewinder missiles against drones.”
defenseone.com/threats/2025/1…
Polish FM: “It is uneconomical and impractical to be defending our space with F-35s using Sidewinder missiles against drones.”
defenseone.com/threats/2025/1…
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5/ Ukraine learned this lesson first.
When it ran low on artillery in 2023, it turned to mass-produced FPV drones.
These drones became a “drone wall” that destroys enormous numbers of Russian troops and vehicles. atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainea…
When it ran low on artillery in 2023, it turned to mass-produced FPV drones.
These drones became a “drone wall” that destroys enormous numbers of Russian troops and vehicles. atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainea…
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6/ By 2025, 70-80% of Russia’s battlefield losses came from drones.
Brovdi: commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, likened the drone wall to a wall “taller than the Great Wall of China. global.espreso.tv/strike-drones-…
Brovdi: commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, likened the drone wall to a wall “taller than the Great Wall of China. global.espreso.tv/strike-drones-…
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7/ Ukraine has also used cheap drones to hit Russian bomber bases deep inside Russia.
These attacks caused billions in damage with drones that cost only a tiny fraction. atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainea…
These attacks caused billions in damage with drones that cost only a tiny fraction. atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainea…
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8/ At sea, Ukraine’s naval drones also changed the game.
$300k Magura drones destroyed or damaged ships worth tens of millions of dollars — and even shot down Russian jets (each worth $50 million). nationalinterest.org/feature/ukrain…
$300k Magura drones destroyed or damaged ships worth tens of millions of dollars — and even shot down Russian jets (each worth $50 million). nationalinterest.org/feature/ukrain…
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9/ Meanwhile, Russia’s huge geography turned into a weakness.
Ukraine’s long-range drones now hit oil refineries across Russia, causing shortages and stressing Russian air defenses. atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainea…
Ukraine’s long-range drones now hit oil refineries across Russia, causing shortages and stressing Russian air defenses. atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainea…
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10/ Inside Russia, missile crews are running short on ammunition.
Some units have only 1–2 missiles left for six launchers.
Cheap drones are draining Russia’s expensive systems. kyivindependent.com/russias-air-de…
Some units have only 1–2 missiles left for six launchers.
Cheap drones are draining Russia’s expensive systems. kyivindependent.com/russias-air-de…
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11/ A Ukrainian commander told me:
“It’s not because we’re so smart — it’s because we’re poor.”
Ukraine builds “poor man’s solutions” from wood, Chinese parts, whatever works.
Now Kyiv is actively hitting targets 1000-2000km away from its border. nationalsecurityjournal.org/putin-is-slowl…
“It’s not because we’re so smart — it’s because we’re poor.”
Ukraine builds “poor man’s solutions” from wood, Chinese parts, whatever works.
Now Kyiv is actively hitting targets 1000-2000km away from its border. nationalsecurityjournal.org/putin-is-slowl…
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12/ Innovation and adaption cycle speeds up each year.
Roughly speaking:
• 2022: new tech lasted 7 months
• 2023: 5–6 months
• 2024: 3–4 months
• 2025: 4–6 weeks
Now, whoever adapts fastest wins. aspistrategist.org.au/ever-faster-we…
Roughly speaking:
• 2022: new tech lasted 7 months
• 2023: 5–6 months
• 2024: 3–4 months
• 2025: 4–6 weeks
Now, whoever adapts fastest wins. aspistrategist.org.au/ever-faster-we…
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13/ Kyiv built a fast design, deploy and iteration system.
Frontline units test ideas.
Workshops build prototypes.
Within weeks, new drones appear on the battlefield.
This is what is so valuable for the West.
Europe can't just go and re-create Kyiv's drone wall.
Frontline units test ideas.
Workshops build prototypes.
Within weeks, new drones appear on the battlefield.
This is what is so valuable for the West.
Europe can't just go and re-create Kyiv's drone wall.
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14/ Now Ukraine is planning to scale up to 1,000 interceptor drones a day.
It's a difficult engineering problem to solve, as there are constant counter measures deployed and the weather complicates things in the sky.
x.com/DVKirichenko/s…
It's a difficult engineering problem to solve, as there are constant counter measures deployed and the weather complicates things in the sky.
x.com/DVKirichenko/s…
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15/ Volunteers also help innovation and scale low-cost defenses.
Groups like Dignitas Ukraine are assisting in creating networks of interceptors and sensors to stop Shahed drones.
+ Providing important training for interceptor pilots. lowyinstitute.org/the-interprete…
Groups like Dignitas Ukraine are assisting in creating networks of interceptors and sensors to stop Shahed drones.
+ Providing important training for interceptor pilots. lowyinstitute.org/the-interprete…
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16/ Cheap vs cheap is the only sustainable model.
But it also means grasping how fast the innovation cycle moves.
Western drones don’t always fail right away in Ukraine—but once Russia adapts, Western producers struggle to keep up.
Kyiv's drone expertise is a huge asset.
But it also means grasping how fast the innovation cycle moves.
Western drones don’t always fail right away in Ukraine—but once Russia adapts, Western producers struggle to keep up.
Kyiv's drone expertise is a huge asset.
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17/ Indeed, Russia is adapting and they have learned many lessons from the war.
It’s upgrading missiles to dodge Patriot systems.
Its drones now use detectors to sense incoming interceptors and perform evasive moves. ft.com/content/078b8e…
It’s upgrading missiles to dodge Patriot systems.
Its drones now use detectors to sense incoming interceptors and perform evasive moves. ft.com/content/078b8e…
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18/ This tech war is now a race of adaptation as well.
Ukraine must scale its innovations fast enough to counter Russia’s mass production.
Russia must defend a huge territory against cheap, long-range threats.
Ukraine must scale its innovations fast enough to counter Russia’s mass production.
Russia must defend a huge territory against cheap, long-range threats.
Waffentraeger@waffentraeger
It seems RU is digging deep into their arsenal of older AA missiles. Only 2 on the rack with 1 being ancient is something we've seen with for example UKR Buks when missiles need to be rationed. Unlike UKR, RU only has its own stocks, when those run out things will get worse.
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Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius:
"It would be good that a battle-tested Ukraine army, after peace has been established in Ukraine, would be ready to be present in all the countries of our frontier region..." politico.eu/article/ukrain…
"It would be good that a battle-tested Ukraine army, after peace has been established in Ukraine, would be ready to be present in all the countries of our frontier region..." politico.eu/article/ukrain…
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Cheap domestic missile production that can be scaled quickly is very important.
OSINTtechnical@Osinttechnical
Footage of Ukrainian forces launching a package of domestically-produced Bars medium-range cruise missiles towards Russian targets.
The Bars has a range of 700-800 km, with the footage seen here confirming that a single site can salvo off multiple missiles simultaneously.
The Bars has a range of 700-800 km, with the footage seen here confirming that a single site can salvo off multiple missiles simultaneously.
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Ukrainian FM: "The modern arms race is not about nukes — it is about millions of cheap drones. Those who can scale up production quicker will secure peace."
Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦@andrii_sybiha
Two goals are crucial at this stage of this war. First, to abandon our own illusions. Second, to deprive the enemy of illusions.
Putin will have to stop this war when two factors are in place: he won’t have the illusion that he can somehow eventually win on the battlefield; the price of continuing the war for him and his regime will exceed the price of stopping it.
Collectively, the international community has enough capacity to force Russia to end this war. What we need is a turn from “as long as it takes” to “as strong as it gets.”
The modern arms race is not about nukes — it is about millions of cheap drones. Those who can scale up production quicker will secure peace.
This requires quick and sufficient funding for Ukraine’s defense industry, which is now the greatest source of defense innovation in the world. We can produce up to 20 million drones next year if we get sufficient funding.
We are in a race against time. Both in resources and technology. We need to achieve parity and advantage to make Putin stop the war.
Putin will have to stop this war when two factors are in place: he won’t have the illusion that he can somehow eventually win on the battlefield; the price of continuing the war for him and his regime will exceed the price of stopping it.
Collectively, the international community has enough capacity to force Russia to end this war. What we need is a turn from “as long as it takes” to “as strong as it gets.”
The modern arms race is not about nukes — it is about millions of cheap drones. Those who can scale up production quicker will secure peace.
This requires quick and sufficient funding for Ukraine’s defense industry, which is now the greatest source of defense innovation in the world. We can produce up to 20 million drones next year if we get sufficient funding.
We are in a race against time. Both in resources and technology. We need to achieve parity and advantage to make Putin stop the war.
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Kyiv is starting to export arms as well as import them. Ukraine builds about 4 million military drones a year; by comparison, the US builds around 100,000. spectrum.ieee.org/ukraine-weapons
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"On the modern battlefield, every soldier is a 24-hour target for precision strikes, requiring a fundamental rethinking of outdated defense doctrines and the development of engineering solutions that are adequate to new operational realities." militarnyi.com/uk/blogs/forty…
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“If the Russians did not have such competent drone operators, their infantry would not be able to infiltrate the city,” Kariakin said. “It is very dangerous to be a drone operator right now.” ft.com/content/05ca82…
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“It’s not just the quantity of drones, it’s the variety” used by Ukraine, said RAND analyst Michael Bohnert. “Probably more than all NATO countries combined right now.” bloomberg.com/news/features/…
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"He estimates the allies spent more on jet fuel than it cost Russia to make the drones. Russia regularly fires hundreds of UAVs at Ukraine per day, most of which are intercepted." bloomberg.com/news/features/…
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"Ukraine is investing heavily in the development of powerful missiles, aiming to build a market for the weapons the way it has done with drones" businessinsider.com/ukraine-wants-…
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China is preparing and will certainly have an edge in manufacturing cheap, unmanned systems in a future war.
Is the Trump admin paying attention?
This is where Kyiv can help the West in the coming wars of the future.
Is the Trump admin paying attention?
This is where Kyiv can help the West in the coming wars of the future.
The Australian@australian
In China’s planning for numerous landings necessary for an invasion of Taiwan, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has revealed its new tactic – a drone-led assault with “robot wolves” as the first wave of attack. Read more: bit.ly/480lMM2
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Kyiv's drone wall inflicts heavy damage for any advance the Russians make.
MAKS 26 🇺🇦👀@Maks_NAFO_FELLA
❗️The enemy is trying to bypass Pokrovsk and reach Hryshyne. Group of the General Staff of Russia was destroyed in Myrnohrad, - 7th Corps of the DShV
As noted, the appearance of Russians was recorded north of Pokrovsk. Several enemy infantrymen tried to penetrate and gain a foothold at one of the agricultural facilities. The enemy was destroyed.
Due to the inability to push through the defenses of Pokrovsk and use the city as a bridgehead to implement this plan, the Russians are trying to bypass the city.
As noted, the appearance of Russians was recorded north of Pokrovsk. Several enemy infantrymen tried to penetrate and gain a foothold at one of the agricultural facilities. The enemy was destroyed.
Due to the inability to push through the defenses of Pokrovsk and use the city as a bridgehead to implement this plan, the Russians are trying to bypass the city.
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"This is the future of war – and the West isn’t ready for what may be coming in an open conflict with Russia: mass casualties and a transformation of the battle beyond anything that Nato’s armies are training for." independent.co.uk/news/world/eur…
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Need to look for cheap and innovative solutions.
Roy🇨🇦@GrandpaRoy2
The Russians are concerned that Ukraine will use balloons as bombers.
The balloons are equipped with GPS trackers that can control electronics, ballast, and explosive devices.
A small balloon can carry several TM-62 landmines or equivalent as bombs.
The balloons are equipped with GPS trackers that can control electronics, ballast, and explosive devices.
A small balloon can carry several TM-62 landmines or equivalent as bombs.
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What you like to see. Win-win cooperation.
OSINTtechnical@Osinttechnical
Multiple U.S. Army officials, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and chief of staff Gen. Randy George, made an unannounced visit to Ukraine this week.
The trip includes efforts to boost a major potential deal to exchange drone and autonomous munitions technologies.
The trip includes efforts to boost a major potential deal to exchange drone and autonomous munitions technologies.
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Kyiv helping Greece with a tech navy.
NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦@NOELreports
Greece and Ukraine will jointly produce advanced naval drones at Greek shipyards, likely at Skaramanga, according to Kathimerini. The drones, upgraded versions of Ukraine’s proven models, will be built with Greek and Ukrainian tech, including optics, electronics, and potentially munitions.
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Important for Western leaders to take note that Russia learns and adapts, and traditional air defenses will have gaps.
Decker Eveleth@dex_eve
Very good work from RUSI, who finds that even controlling for areas that are defended by Ukrainian Patriot, there has been a big degradation in missile defense effectiveness.
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The need for constant countermeasures with drones.
Samuel Bendett@sambendett
Russian helicopter crews are installing drone detectors in their cockpits as a CUAS measure: "aSel Labs H231b detectors have been tested on Rus combat and transport helicopters. Tests confirmed signal detection in the specified frequency ranges of 300-7210 MHz. Since terrain does not affect the propagation and reception of radio signals during high-altitude flight, the detector reliably detected UAVs at a distance of 4-5 km. When favorable signal reception conditions coincided with a direct line of sight to the transmitter, the detection range reached 15 km. Ground-based transmitters were also used during testing. This allowed us to practice the detection scenario of "ambush" drones, which pose an even greater threat to equipment and crews than drones infiltrating the control zone from outside." t.me/asellabs/260
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“Mavics are unnecessary: Czech instructors admit that Ukrainian drones make training too realistic.
Ukrainian soldiers undergoing training in Poland & the Czech Republic are increasingly facing a gap between NATO training programs and the realities of drone warfare in Ukraine”
Ukrainian soldiers undergoing training in Poland & the Czech Republic are increasingly facing a gap between NATO training programs and the realities of drone warfare in Ukraine”
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"Drones are now able to sit in ambush, intercept enemy logistics and disrupt supplies. They have also made it more difficult to maintain positions: If you are detected, every weapon in the area will immediately rush to destroy you.” politico.eu/article/surviv…
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Russians record their supply lines get disrupted by remote-mining operations via Ukrainian drones.
0:33
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Kyiv needs to more urgently scale up production of cheap domestic cruise missiles.
WarTranslated@wartranslated
Fire Point plans to deploy its FP-7 ballistic missile this year with mass production, the chief designer said. The FP-7 has 200 km range, 1,500 m/s speed and 150 kg warhead, with an FP-9 variant planned by mid-next year reaching 850 km, while Flamingo cruise missiles are already produced at three daily.
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Always a race for new tactics.
Roy🇨🇦@GrandpaRoy2
Some Russian “Geran-2” (Shahed) strike UAVs are flying into Odesa at very low levels.
Apparently this switch in tactics can sometimes avoid Ukrainian air defenses.
One flew right through a window of a building under construction.
Apparently this switch in tactics can sometimes avoid Ukrainian air defenses.
One flew right through a window of a building under construction.
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Long-range logistic ambushes…
Ukrainians testing 50km fiber optic drone.
Ukrainians testing 50km fiber optic drone.
Necro Mancer@666_mancer
Оптоволоконная птичка (50км, цифра) от "Ptashka Drones", боевое тестирование
t.me/wunderfpv/544 #укроборонпром
t.me/wunderfpv/544 #укроборонпром
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Ukrainian drone and missile producers are in need of much more money to continue developing more solutions.
Anton Gerashchenko@Gerashchenko_en
70% of what you see on TV is done by our deep strike drones, Denys Shtilerman, co-owner and chief designer of Fire Point technology company, said.
He shared which military and strategic targets deep behind enemy lines had been destroyed using drones produced by this company.
"Oil refineries - it's our doing. And the latest one in Novorossiysk [November 14 attack] is ours too. The Alpha Special Group did an incredible job. The Special Operations Forces, the 14th UAS regiment, and all users destroyed a lot of oil refineries. The Kupiansk forest was cleared, many thermal power plants were destroyed, as well as many command posts and warehouses," Shtilerman said.
He shared which military and strategic targets deep behind enemy lines had been destroyed using drones produced by this company.
"Oil refineries - it's our doing. And the latest one in Novorossiysk [November 14 attack] is ours too. The Alpha Special Group did an incredible job. The Special Operations Forces, the 14th UAS regiment, and all users destroyed a lot of oil refineries. The Kupiansk forest was cleared, many thermal power plants were destroyed, as well as many command posts and warehouses," Shtilerman said.
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Drones hunting helicopters.
Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦@bayraktar_1love
Just when we thought we had already seen everything, like FPV drones taking down Russian helicopters, the Ukrainian SOF have taken it even further.
For the first time in history, a Russian military Mi-8 helicopter has been shot down by a guided deep-strike drone FP-1. 200km from the frontline, Kuteinikovo Rostov region of Russia.
For the first time in history, a Russian military Mi-8 helicopter has been shot down by a guided deep-strike drone FP-1. 200km from the frontline, Kuteinikovo Rostov region of Russia.
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Moscow being targeted.
OSINTtechnical@Osinttechnical
Ukrainian forces just hit one of Moscow’s largest power stations, the Shatura TPP.
Seen here, a massive explosion on the northern side of the Russian power plant.
Seen here, a massive explosion on the northern side of the Russian power plant.
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Ukraine is setting some of the tech standards for the coming wars of the future.
Tymofiy Mylovanov@Mylovanov
Ukraine sets the battlefield standards NATO now follows.
On the sea, $300k Ukrainian Magura drones sank 14 Russian warships. These strikes proved that small unmanned boats can kill billion-dollar fleets and forced NATO navies to rethink everything, The Times.
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On the sea, $300k Ukrainian Magura drones sank 14 Russian warships. These strikes proved that small unmanned boats can kill billion-dollar fleets and forced NATO navies to rethink everything, The Times.
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New cameras and antennas were found on downed Russian Shahed drones in Ukraine. These upgrades, likely meant to improve surveillance and data transmission, help the drones maneuver better and make them less vulnerable to Ukrainian interceptors. t.me/serhii_flash/6…
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RU is now using an updated Iranian-designed drone, the Shahed-107, against UA forces, says Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov. The drone offers Moscow a cheap way to launch mid-range precision strikes beyond the front line—plugging a major gap in its arsenal. twz.com/air/russia-now…
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Ukraine has unveiled an upgraded “Sea Baby” naval drone with a range extended from 1,000 to 1,500 km and a payload capacity of 2,000 kg. The state security service says it can now operate anywhere in the Black Sea and uses AI for more precise targeting. euronews.com/2025/10/23/ukr…
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"This part of the strike-counterstrike adaptation spiral is moving particularly fast. According to the Ukrainians, new strike and penetration techniques that work one week can be out of date just a week or two afterwards." csis.org/analysis/seven…
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"There is a potential to transform drone cooperation agreements among democracies into formal drone alliances."
"Ukraine’s consumption of FPV drones is greater than NATO’s, revealing a mismatch between current NATO drone strategy..."
static.rusi.org/rp-drone-suppl…
"Ukraine’s consumption of FPV drones is greater than NATO’s, revealing a mismatch between current NATO drone strategy..."
static.rusi.org/rp-drone-suppl…
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"Fiber-optic drones were something of a novelty in 2024."
By 2025, Russia was producing around 6,000 Vandal drones per month, enabling strikes across the 1,600-km front line. mwi.westpoint.edu/the-future-of-…
By 2025, Russia was producing around 6,000 Vandal drones per month, enabling strikes across the 1,600-km front line. mwi.westpoint.edu/the-future-of-…
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"General Staff spokesperson Dmytro Lykhoviy gave a speech touting figures that showed Fire Point’s long-range drones as 51% of Ukraine’s total deep-strike drones used, responsible for 59% of its successful strikes." kyivindependent.com/faced-with-tee…
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The dangerous roads on the front.
OSINTtechnical@Osinttechnical
U.S.-supplied Stryker ICV in Ukrainian service, sporting a massive “hedgehog” anti-drone armor kit.
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Ukraine & the UK signed a license agreement to produce Octopus interceptor drones.
Defense Minister Shmyhal: "This is a historical precedent and the next important step that will allow the production of Ukrainian interceptors in the UK." kyivindependent.com/historical-pre…
Defense Minister Shmyhal: "This is a historical precedent and the next important step that will allow the production of Ukrainian interceptors in the UK." kyivindependent.com/historical-pre…
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"Ukraine remains the most contested, data-rich, and technologically volatile battlespace in the world. It has been described as a “testbed” for defense innovation because the conditions reveal how systems perform against a capable and adaptive enemy." anduril.com/news/how-defen…
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Ukraine’s tech navy applying kinetic sanctions.
(((Tendar)))@Tendar
Ukrainian forces released videos of the operation against the two oilers Kairo and Virat in the Black Sea which tried to reach the Russian coast.
The message is clear:
If you are a shipowner trying to get Russian oil, expect that you will lose your whole ship.
The message is clear:
If you are a shipowner trying to get Russian oil, expect that you will lose your whole ship.
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A lot to learn from Ukraine.
Samuel Bendett@sambendett
A report from Ukraine's KSE Institute examines how Ukraine has changed modern warfare via the development of unmanned systems — and how this experience can enhance U.S. military capabilities and promote deeper cooperation between the two states. kse.ua/about-the-scho…
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Cost asymmetry is important.
Jimmy Rushton@JimmySecUK
Jet powered "Shahid" drones were shot down by Ukrainian "Sting" interceptor FPVs last night, according to prominent Ukrainian activist and military fundraiser Serhii Sternenko.
Each "Sting" costs $2300 - a jet powered "Shahid" probably costs upwards of $100,000.
Each "Sting" costs $2300 - a jet powered "Shahid" probably costs upwards of $100,000.
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"But the best Europeans can do now is accelerate their efforts to arm Kyiv—and themselves." foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/delusi…
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"First, the Shahed-136 strikes were absorbing expensive air defence missiles at an unsustainable rate. Second, the use of these weapons would go up dramatically as Russia inevitably scaled production." rusi.org/explore-our-re…
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Octopus proves the UK can anticipate threats, build cheap counters, and scale production fast. That process needs to be protected — and expanded for Ukraine and Europe’s future wars. rusi.org/explore-our-re…
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Russians lowering the cost of their assaults. Human life is cheap in Russia, armored vehicles are not.
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Adaption of the drone wall.
Oko Gora@oko_gora_tg
When the new tactic of the Ukrainian Defense Forces was discussed here — specifically the creation of obstacle lines instead of large fortified areas — this was exactly the approach that was meant.
There are 29 bodies in the photo.
There are 29 bodies in the photo.
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Drone dangers grow.
Status-6 (War & Military News)@Archer83Able
Russia started employing Shahed/Geran-type long-range UAVs equipped with air-to-air missiles for combating Ukrainian aviation assets, Ukrainian military radio technology expert Serhii Flash reports.
The remains of a Shahed/Geran-type drone with an R-60 short-range air-to-air missile attached to it have been found on the ground following its interception.
t.me/serhii_flash/6…
The remains of a Shahed/Geran-type drone with an R-60 short-range air-to-air missile attached to it have been found on the ground following its interception.
t.me/serhii_flash/6…
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Fast progress from Ukrainian drone interceptors.
Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦@bayraktar_1love
Interception of the Russian Shahed kamikaze drone with an installed R-60 air-to-air missile.
It was intercepted by Darknode unit of the @usf_army, using STING anti-Shahed drone developed by the @wilendhornets and funded by @sternenkofund.
It was intercepted by Darknode unit of the @usf_army, using STING anti-Shahed drone developed by the @wilendhornets and funded by @sternenkofund.
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"Ukraine would bring Europe's largest combat-tested army to the alliance. Second, Ukraine was uniquely able to develop and produce drones on a large scale and at low cost and rapidly adapt them to a dynamic battlefield." rand.org/pubs/commentar…
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"Some front-line soldiers of Ukraine’s SBU security service, for instance, found that their Altius loitering drones crashed and failed to hit their targets. The drones were so problematic that they stopped using them in 2024 and haven’t fielded them since" wsj.com/business/andur…
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Ukraine’s drone wall is Europe’s best security.
Tymofiy Mylovanov@Mylovanov
Q: What does this mean for Europe?
Hoffman: Ukraine fields Europe’s most capable army and leads in drone warfare.
Their resistance is what shields Europe’s security. Backing Ukraine is the clearest way to deter Russia’s next move.
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Hoffman: Ukraine fields Europe’s most capable army and leads in drone warfare.
Their resistance is what shields Europe’s security. Backing Ukraine is the clearest way to deter Russia’s next move.
2/
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The fiber-optic hunt.
Roy🇨🇦@GrandpaRoy2
Russian “dandelion” armored vehicles are destroyed inside a hangar by Ukrainian fiber optic FPVs.
The dandelion pod seeds are made from unraveled steel cable.
The dandelion pod seeds are made from unraveled steel cable.
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“Throughout 2025, the scale of Russia's drone attacks has grown exponentially. Larger and larger swarms of Gerans have overwhelmed Ukraine's overstretched air defenses, and Russia has been outfitting the weapons with jet engines.” kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-spec…
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"In other words, Europe isn’t vulnerable because its enemies are strong—but because they’re cheap, adaptive, and fast."
bakunetwork.org/en/news/analyt…
bakunetwork.org/en/news/analyt…
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Estonia has published a tender worth €460 million for drone detection equipment, as it moves to build a “drone wall” along its borders with Russia. arsenal.eu/p/eur-defense-…
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"Western firms thereby missed out on rapid tactical evolution which was needed immediately, but which could take months to arrive from suppliers abroad: from quick software updates to hardware changes" static.rusi.org/rp-drone-suppl…
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"The Pentagon is deploying to the Middle East a new kamikaze drone copied from a widely used Iranian version, turning to a crude but effective weapon." wsj.com/politics/natio…
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"Another crucial point, he noted, is that warfare is gradually becoming cheaper thanks to technological advances — while total strike capabilities continue to grow." tsn.ua/en/ukrayina/ev…
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“Nowadays Ukraine can domestically produce high-quality thermal cameras, video transmitters, flight controllers, communication systems, electric motors, structural elements, fiber-optic reels, and modules for various purposes" arsenal.eu/p/ukr-ukraine-…
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Drones hitting aircraft.
Defense of Ukraine@DefenceU
For the first time in history 🔥
The warriors from the @DI_Ukraine destroyed two russian Be-12 Chayka amphibious aircraft. Be-12s amphibious aircraft are equipped with expensive equipment for detecting and combating submarines. This is the first ever strike on a Be-12.
The warriors also struck another russian Mi-8 helicopter.
The warriors from the @DI_Ukraine destroyed two russian Be-12 Chayka amphibious aircraft. Be-12s amphibious aircraft are equipped with expensive equipment for detecting and combating submarines. This is the first ever strike on a Be-12.
The warriors also struck another russian Mi-8 helicopter.
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During a Senate hearing in June, Driscoll referred to Ukraine as the "Silicon Valley of warfare," saying the country stands at the front of the new military revolution. kyivindependent.com/who-is-dan-dri…
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Nico Lange, a former chief of staff at Germany’s defence ministry, says that the war in Ukraine shows that victory goes to whoever can “supply their front-line forces with technology in relevant quantities the fastest”.
economist.com/europe/2025/12…
economist.com/europe/2025/12…
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"Quantum Systems and Frontline Robotics announced on Dec. 15 a joint Ukrainian-German venture to launch the first "industrial-scale" foreign-based production of drones for Ukraine's military." kyivindependent.com/joint-venture-…
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Russia preparing to expand hybrid warfare with drones.
GeoInsider@InsiderGeo
Leaked internal documents from Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone, analyzed by the Molfar Intelligence Institute, indicate that Moscow has been testing and upgrading Shahed drones outside Russia, including in Kazakhstan and potentially Turkey.
The documents show the use of European and tourist SIM cards, 4G modems, and trackers to improve navigation, telemetry, resistance to electronic warfare, and post-strike data collection. According to Molfar, this testing may help explain the unexplained drone overflights reported across multiple European countries in recent months, particularly near strategic and military sites.
The findings suggest Russia is adapting its drones to operate across foreign telecom networks, not only for use in Ukraine but potentially for broader operational environments.
The documents show the use of European and tourist SIM cards, 4G modems, and trackers to improve navigation, telemetry, resistance to electronic warfare, and post-strike data collection. According to Molfar, this testing may help explain the unexplained drone overflights reported across multiple European countries in recent months, particularly near strategic and military sites.
The findings suggest Russia is adapting its drones to operate across foreign telecom networks, not only for use in Ukraine but potentially for broader operational environments.
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Countering drone operations with bigger bombs.
OSINTtechnical@Osinttechnical
Footage of a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 Fulcrum dropping a pair of French-supplied 500 lb AASM guided bombs on a group of Russian drone operators.
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"Ukrainian long-range drones have struck two Russian Su-27 fighter jets at the Belbek military airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea" kyivindependent.com/sbu-says-drone…
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"The Ukrainian Defense Forces defeated a massive mechanized assault in the Dobropillia sector near Pokrovsk. The invaders used 24 armored vehicles and several dozen motorcycles and ATVs to try to break through the Ukrainian defense." militarnyi.com/en/news/ukrain…
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The effectiveness of the hybrid-approach: artillery and mining via drones.
kriegsforscher@kriegsforscherD
Russians today attacked UA positions near Pokrovsk towards Razine with 4 tanks, 12 IFVs and 5 ATVs.
Russian marines tried to breakthrough and were eliminated and stopped mostly with the help of artillery (!) and mines that were placed by UAVs.
Russian marines tried to breakthrough and were eliminated and stopped mostly with the help of artillery (!) and mines that were placed by UAVs.
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Poland is ready to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in exchange for counter-drone systems, with a decision expected after certain “formalities” are resolved. militarnyi.com/en/news/poland…
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Production needs to scale even faster.
Defense of Ukraine@DefenceU
The AFU will receive 3 million FPV drones by the end of 2025.
This is almost 2.5 times more than the number of drones delivered last year. The vast majority are of drones are Ukrainian-made.
The role of unmanned systems is growing, and therefore their production is our top priority.
We continue to work to ensure that our warriors have a technological advantage on the battlefield.
This is almost 2.5 times more than the number of drones delivered last year. The vast majority are of drones are Ukrainian-made.
The role of unmanned systems is growing, and therefore their production is our top priority.
We continue to work to ensure that our warriors have a technological advantage on the battlefield.
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"Weapons exports are meant to bring in the revenue to resolve this. But the legal infrastructure isn’t there yet and the government is moving slowly to build it.
Less money means less production and also less R&D to make weapons deadlier... " euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/24/wan…
Less money means less production and also less R&D to make weapons deadlier... " euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/24/wan…
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"By the end of 2025, in some areas of the front, up to 90% of the enemy is being destroyed by drones and other technologies." pravda.com.ua/columns/2025/1…