Drones have transformed the battlefield in Ukraine, forcing commanders to rethink how troops move, fight, and support one another, according to reporting by Reuters.
The war, once defined by tank clashes and conventional artillery, is now dominated by thousands of small, fast unmanned systems. Their constant presence makes troop movements, evacuations, and assaults more dangerous, forcing both sides to adapt tactics, limit mobility, and invest in counter-drone measures.
Tanks grounded, open-field maneuvers "effectively impossible"
Ukrainian tank platoon commander Valentyn Bohdanov told Reuters that open-field maneuvers are effectively impossible. His T-72 tank, captured from Russian forces, now remains hidden near the Kharkiv frontline, acting largely as a stationary platform.
“They won’t enter an open field: they’ll be peppered by FPV drones and stronger ones,” he said, describing how mobility has been curtailed by persistent aerial threats.
Drone-hunting teams patrol supply routes
Units across the front are increasingly deploying mobile drone-hunting teams, Reuters reports. Patrolling supply routes and key positions, these squads defend troops from FPVs and larger drones, such as Shaheds, which can fly farther and carry heavier payloads.
The presence of these unmanned systems has changed how supplies are moved, positions are reinforced, and operations are planned.
Evacuations stretched from hours to days
The impact on logistics and casualty management has been profound. Reuters notes that medical evacuations that once took hours now can stretch over three days, and unmanned ground vehicles are being used to move the wounded safely.
Col. Viacheslav Kurinnyi, a chief doctor at a Kharkiv hospital, said the extended evacuation times illustrate how the drone threat can alter even lifesaving operations.
Drone casualties surge from under 10% to 80%
Drone strikes have also reshaped combat priorities. Soldiers report being targeted while moving on foot, and artillery crews are adjusting firing positions to avoid detection.
The French Institute of International Relations reported that drone-inflicted casualties increased from under 10% in 2022 to around 80% last year, signaling a fundamental shift in the lethality and reach of unmanned systems.
Lessons for future wars
Analysts cited by Reuters suggest these adaptations may offer lessons for future conflicts. While tanks remain relevant in urban areas or poor weather conditions, small infantry units, counter-drone tactics, and long-range artillery are now central to operations.
Ukraine’s experience demonstrates that battlefield dominance increasingly depends on flexibility, rapid adaptation, and the integration of unmanned systems into both offensive and defensive strategies.
