Learning from the Ukrainian Battlefield: Tomorrow’s Drone Warfare, Today’s Innovation Challenge

Author(s): Dominika Kunertova
Editor(s): Andreas Wenger
Series: CSS Studies
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich
Publication Year: 2024

Russia’s war in Ukraine has undoubtedly become the single most important conflict for understanding how drone warfare may take shape in the future. This research report identifies nine key takeaways based upon a comprehensive analysis of combat-proven practices from the Ukrainian battlefield. These lessons cover technology, doctrine, and policy alike. The report’s four chapters examine the main opportunities for improving drone capabilities across functions and operational domains. They also highlight the persistent challenges accompanying the development, integration, and deployment of new uncrewed systems. Importantly, however, drones are not a panacea for achieving strategic victories or winning wars.

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