Russian drones are probably already managing to hit targets in the close rear of the Ukrainian army, behind the front lines, according to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War, published on its website, BTA reports.
The Washington think tank points out that the use of combined tactics for attacking with unmanned aerial vehicles and operational adaptations provides the Russian armed forces with significant advantages on the battlefield in Ukraine and facilitates the Russian advance on key Ukrainian cities. As a result, drones are likely to be able to fly over the battlefield and strike targets in the immediate rear behind the front line, with the aim of short-term impact on combat operations.
Nearly three and a half years into the war, neither Ukraine nor Russia has been able to cross the front line with manned aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles, due to strong and sophisticated air defenses and electronic warfare. However, Russian forces are already making partial breakthroughs in this regard, supporting their offensives, the Institute for the Study of War summarizes.
Drones are playing a key role in the war, with Ukrainian soldiers quoted by the BBC describing a death zone stretching several kilometers on both sides of the front line.
Both sides in the conflict are in a fierce race to develop and improve unmanned aerial vehicles.