For those whose attention has stayed fixed on the Ukraine War despite the rise of tensions in the Middle East or the controversies surrounding the new Trump administration, one of the more glaring developments has been Ukraine’s increased dependence on drone warfare. Indeed, Kyiv’s drone arsenal has become fundamental to the country’s military strategy. Over the last two years, Ukraine’s drone industry has transformed the battlefield, leveraging unmanned aerial systems (UAS, or drones) across various roles—from reconnaissance and artillery spotting to long-range strikes. What began in 2022 as an improvisational use of commercial drone products has evolved into a domestically produced, innovative, and rapidly expanding drone program.

The Origins of Ukraine’s Drone Capabilities

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv’s drone capabilities were humble. Ukraine had purchased some Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey, a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS that had shown effectiveness in previous conflicts. The TB2s had modest abilities but still proved capable, providing early morale boosts after conducting high-profile

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