Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1207: Ukraine’s tech revolution outpaces world’s military powers

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Drones rack up 70% of troop losses in the Ukraine war — and AI's killing spree will make it worse. Russia's war turned Ukraine into ground zero for next-gen warfare, rendering the world's top weapons obsolete—and positioning Kyiv as the West's only ally fast enough to match China's breakneck innovation.

A Russian drone flew into Ukraine's "hidden" Krab gun — and exposed a billion-dollar flaw in artillery design. A Russian drone slipped into a camouflaged dugout and destroyed a Krab howitzer. The real damage? A warning to every army still betting on heavy artillery.

How AI goes to war: 5 military tech innovations. 5 groundbreaking AI technologies already in service or entering operational use, showcasing examples of how science fiction is quickly becoming military reality

Russia replaces Soviet howitzers with North Korean clones—Ukraine builds drone wall. Russia is rapidly losing 2S7 howitzers and replacing them with North Korean M1989s, as Ukrainian drones work to locate and destroy both.

Military

Moscow's crashed Su-25 attack jet may have been downed by another Russian plane in eastern Ukraine. Close launch of unguided rockets from a wingman may have triggered a mid-air accident in Donetsk Oblast. Frontline report: Kupiansk front turns into mass execution zone as Russian soldiers murder their commanders, steal trucks, and vanish. Not Ukraine. Not NATO. Russia is now at the war with itself after Kyiv takes out over 1 million troops. Frontline report: Ukraine is deconstructing Russia's drone factories—with fire and steel. Russia is building over 4,000 drones a month. Ukraine is blowing up the factories behind it. Two Russian explosives production-linked plants go up in flames after drone strikes (video). Shared videos reveal damage, drone activity, and fires at Nevinnomysk and Novokuybyshevsk facilities. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed the attacks. IRIS-T breaks Ukrainian unit's record in debut air defense operation, protecting Lviv. Armed with the German-made IRIS-T for the first time, the unit intercepted seven Russian missiles in one battle, outperforming its past best of five set with the S-300. Russians in Crimea pack up as relentless sound of air alerts and sight of tanks become their new reality. Contaminated nature and crumbling services push the Russians to cut losses and escape.

Intelligence and technology

Another wave of steel heads for Ukraine — this time, from Estonia. Tallinn's latest weapon delivery speaks loudly — more shells for a war with no pause. Ukraine confirms Sapsan ballistic missile project advancing to serial production. The missile reportedly reached 5.2 Mach during 2024 tests, surpassing ATACMS velocity. ISW: Russia wants to modernize army for long war with Ukraine and possible NATO confrontation. Moscow's 2027-2036 rearmament program focuses on upgrading air defense, AI integration, and space capabilities.

International

"Maybe that's karma": Years after Iran downed Ukrainian plane, killing 176 people, its drone factories now burn under Israeli fire — and Kyiv is watching. Israel's strikes could dismantle the very weapons Moscow uses to bomb Ukrainian towns. Hodges: Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb and Israel's Rising Lion strikes show that distrust in US is growing. Israel follows Ukraine's playbook to disable enemy infrastructure, without warning Washington. Zelenskyy: Trump holds key to stopping Putin's war machine—and Russia's Iran gamble. A stark warning from Kyiv's leader—hesitation risks a regional explosion and prolongs the bloodshed in Ukraine. Russia's warm conversations with US are ploy to dodge sanctions, not end the war, says Zelenskyy. America must show strength, the Ukrainian leader urges, warning that any pause in pressure only encourages further Russian aggression. One of Baltic states may become next testing ground for NATO's Article 5 — and Russia's ruthless ambition. Beneath the surface, hidden networks of spies and agitators plot in silence — all under Moscow's command. Barrels of blood: Israeli strikes on Iran unleash surge of cash for Russia's war machine. Every dollar from soaring oil prices arms Russian soldiers on Ukraine's frontline. Bloomberg: US blocks EU and UK push to cut Russian oil price cap to $45. Washington's stance may complicate European efforts to target Russia's oil revenues. Russia invests in African education and cultural events to shape long-term pro-Moscow influence. Ukrainian intelligence describes this effort as aimed at creating African leaders "loyal to the Kremlin."

Humanitarian and social impact

Ukraine begins long work of identification bodies of fallen soldiers returned from Russia. Ukraine receives 1,200 more fallen soldiers' bodies under Istanbul agreement. Forensic teams begin identification process to return dignity to defenders. Ukraine conducts fourth POW swap in a week, returns defenders held since 2022. The latest group includes wounded and ill personnel captured during major battles. "Everything is gone": Russian drones destroy humanitarian warehouse in Zaporizhzhia, injuring three. Other Russian attacks killed one civilian and injured several others in Kherson and Donetsk oblasts, as Moscow continues targeting populated areas. Read our earlier daily review here.