- Ukraine says modified drones outperform standard systems in combat.
- AI-assisted drones are hitting targets hundreds of miles away.
- Electronic warfare forces constant changes in drone communications systems.
Ukraine’s growing drone campaign against Russian supply networks is offering new lessons about modern warfare, particularly regarding the limits of commercially supplied unmanned systems.
A Ukrainian expert involved in the country’s medium-range drone operations argues that drones purchased in standard configurations cannot remain effective for long.
His warning comes as Ukrainian forces increasingly rely on modified drones to attack logistics routes far behind Russian-controlled territory.
Modified drones attack logistics far behind the front
According to the First Azov Corps officer, the Ukrainian campaign focuses on disrupting fuel supplies, cargo transportation and rail movements that support Russian military operations.
Instead of relying on expensive long-range weapons, Ukrainian units have adapted relatively affordable fixed-wing drone systems for missions far beyond their original capabilities.
These modified drones can now reach distances of up to 250 kilometers after receiving modifications to communications and propulsion.
The campaign focuses on supply routes where large quantities of military cargo move through areas that remain difficult to protect.
As distance from the front increases, logistical networks become more concentrated while defensive cover becomes increasingly difficult to maintain.
The officer explained that Ukrainian units assign specific roads and transportation corridors to different formations, allowing for continuous surveillance and strike operations against moving supplies.
Artificial intelligence also plays an important role during missions, particularly during the final stages of flight and target identification.
The official claims that artificial intelligence systems help operators by recognizing potential targets and supporting autonomous navigation.
However, he emphasized that human operators typically retain authority over final strike decisions.
“Our policy is that the decision is made exclusively by the operator,” he stated.
Russian forces have already begun to respond with defensive measures, including anti-drone networks, armed observation posts, and efforts to conceal vehicles from AI-assisted reconnaissance systems.
However, the officer stated that the existing countermeasures have not yet fully addressed the challenges posed by the ongoing campaign.
Adaptation is becoming more important than standard equipment
Beyond battlefield operations, the officer offered a broader assessment of how military organizations should approach unmanned systems.
He argued that drone technology is evolving so rapidly that equipment purchased in standard configurations quickly loses effectiveness against electronic warfare systems and changing battlefield conditions.
Electronic warfare remains an obstacle among many drone operators, although the official suggested it represents only a part of overall anti-drone efforts.
Navigation methods, communication links, frequencies, and software capabilities often require frequent adjustments as adversaries develop new responses.
Assets that work effectively one month may require significant changes shortly thereafter.
As a result, he argued that military formations should maintain dedicated facilities capable of continually modifying and adapting drones.
“Each unit should have its own drone laboratory that can reconfigure and modify them,” he said.
Such facilities would allow operators to adjust aircraft, communications systems and mission profiles as battlefield requirements change.
The officer also suggested that simply supplying units with ready-made drones may not produce the most effective results.
In his view, organizational structures that support rapid experimentation and modification are increasingly important as unmanned systems evolve.
Via TWZ
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds.
