Ukraine’s Drone Army is transforming warfare: from huge drones weighing over 400 kilograms to small drones that fit in the palm of the hand, Ukraine has developed, deployed, received, and acquired thousands of diverse Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to level the playing field in the air battle.
As the war has entered 2025, drones in warfare keep evolving, with advanced (e.g. swarm) technologies being increasingly incorporated.
Read more about the drones being used in Ukraine right now:
What is the purpose of a drone?
The main role of any drone at war is to perform military tasks without the presence of personnel – thus, to prevent people from being directly exposed to mortal danger.
While the first drones in history were used during WWII mostly as targets for fighters and antiaircraft guns, present-day drones serve for intelligence gathering, surveillance, counter-drone operations, combat, resupply, and much more. They’re equipped to handle specific mission demands, however, they are often creatively used for the most unexpected tasks that change the game’s rules.
How are Drones Changing Military Operations?
As mentioned before, the war in Ukraine is a hotbed for drones. Their versatility streamlines and optimizes numerous operations on a battlefield. Here are the main benefits of using drones in military operations:
Real-time situational awareness
Drones provide Ukrainian forces with live intelligence on enemy troop movements, artillery positions, and supply lines. This real-time data helps commanders make quick, informed decisions to effectively counter Russian advances and strike high-value targets.
Reduced risks
By deploying drones for reconnaissance, mine detection, and targeted strikes, Ukraine reduces the need to send soldiers into high-risk combat zones, minimizing casualties. Kamikaze and surveillance drones allow to conduct deep strikes on Russian positions, supply depots, and logistics hubs without endangering pilots or special forces.
Cost efficiency
Compared to expensive fighter jets or long-range missiles, drones provide Ukraine with a cost-effective means of conducting aerial operations, crucial for sustaining the war effort against a larger adversary.
Precision
Ukrainian forces use drones for pinpoint strikes on Russian command centers, artillery positions, and fuel depots, maximizing damage while minimizing collateral damage to civilians.
Operational flexibility
From urban combat in cities like Bakhmut and Avdiivka to long-range strikes deep into occupied territories, drones have proven effective across diverse battle conditions.
Electronic warfare adaptation
As Russia attempts to jam or disable Ukrainian drones, operators continuously adapt tactics and technology, demonstrating how drones drive innovation in modern warfare.
Supply chain disruption
Long-range drones allow Ukraine to strike Russian supply lines, fuel storage facilities, and infrastructure behind enemy lines, weakening their ability to sustain the war effort.
Psychological impact
The persistent threat of drone attacks disrupts enemy troop morale, forcing them to remain on high alert and making it harder for them to establish secure defensive positions.
Enhanced battlefield adaptability
Retranslator and converter drones help to maintain operational effectiveness even in contested environments. Retranslator drones ensure uninterrupted communication and coordination despite Russian electronic warfare, while converter drones provide flexibility by switching roles between reconnaissance, attack, and electronic disruption. This adaptability gives Ukraine a tactical edge in rapidly changing battlefield conditions.
Key Uses of Drones in the Military
As we’ve mentioned at the beginning of the article, military drones have gone a long way from targets to active participants in military actions, which serve a variety of functions. Here are some key roles of the drones being used in Ukraine:
Surveillance and Reconnaissance
First and foremost, military drones are deployed for surveillance and gathering intelligence over vast areas to spot enemy locations, monitor troop formation, and track vehicle convoys in real time without risking human life.
For example, a domestically produced reconnaissance UAV, the PD-2 drone, Ray Bird 3, Shark, etc allowed Ukrainian artillery units to adjust their fire with pinpoint accuracy during Ukraine’s counteroffensive in Kherson.
Combat and Targeted Strikes
Armed drones like Punisher, Darts, Osa are used for precision strikes on Russian positions, command centers, and logistics hubs, neutralizing high-value targets in hard-to-reach or fortified locations.
Communication and Signal Relay
Retranslator drones maintain battlefield communication by acting as mobile relay points, ensuring Ukrainian forces stay connected despite Russian jamming and electronic warfare. Many of multirot drones are used for the retranslator.
Logistical Support
Drones like the HeavyShot, Vampire, etc. transport essential supplies, ammunition, and medical aid to frontline positions and remote locations, reducing the risk for supply convoys.
Weapon Delivery
Some drones, including kamikaze drones, are designed to deliver explosives directly to enemy positions, acting as cost-effective precision-guided munitions. Domestically made FPV drones or wixed-wing Polish-Ukrainian Warmate, Ukraine-made Osa, and Gopak serve this purpose.
Electronic Warfare and Counter-Drone Operations
Used both to disrupt enemy communications and defend against Russian drone attacks. Customizable attachments allow them to disable enemy UAVs, jam signals, and provide electronic countermeasures.
Psychological and Strategic Warfare
The persistent threat of drone strikes forces Russian troops to remain on high alert, disrupting their movements and logistics while demoralizing enemy forces. Numerous Ukrainian-modified FPV drones and DIY kamikaze drones are used for this purpose.
Adaptive Warfare with Converter Drones
Some drones can switch between roles, acting as reconnaissance tools, attack drones, or signal disruptors based on mission needs. This flexibility maximizes Ukraine’s drone capabilities in an evolving battlefield. Thus, the Ukrainian-made drone RAM II UAV can switch between reconnaissance and attack roles, depending on mission needs; the Punisher is capable of both surveillance and precision strikes.
Classification of Military Drones
There are different ways to classify military drones. Below, we’ll discuss various types of drones being used in Ukraine depending on their range, function, combat capabilities, and unique roles:
Short-Range Surveillance Drones
These drones are used for close-range reconnaissance (information gathering, monitoring enemy activities, and alerting the command centers), follow-up reconnaissance, group support, assessment of own positions, artillery adjustment, bomb drops, escort, and adjustment of FPV drones.
They come in various shapes and sizes but generally are lightweight, portable, and provide real-time intelligence over short distances.
Examples:
- DJI Mavic 3
- FJI Matrice
- Autel Robotics Evo
Short-Range Combat Drones
These are tiny, inexpensive, often FPV (First-Person View) drones modified for direct attack missions, usually carrying explosive payloads for kamikaze-style strikes. Their main purpose is the destruction of enemy equipment, positions, and manpower, as well as intercepting and crashing into enemy drones, disrupting Russian UAV operations.
Bomber Drones
These drones are designed to carry and drop explosive payloads on enemy positions, similar to traditional bombers but unmanned. They aim for enemy equipment, positions, and manpower.. Bombers are used primarily at night due to their large size and vulnerability during the daytime.
Examples:
- Heavy Shot
- Vampire
- Kazhan
Swarm technology is a new trend in the bombers’ area. It enables multiple drones to function as a coordinated unit rather than as isolated entities. Ukraine has been successfully deploying swarms of 3 to 10 drones over the past year. The level of autonomy and the size of the swarms is expected to skyrocket in 2025.
Unmanned Surveillance and Reconnaissance Aerial Vehicles
These are medium-to-long-range reconnaissance drones used for tactical-level reconnaissance missions (gathering intelligence, spotting enemy positions, coordinating artillery strikes). They often operate at higher altitudes and provide persistent battlefield surveillance.
Examples:
- Fly Eye
- PD-2
- RayBird 3
- Vector
Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles
These are larger drones designed for direct combat, destruction of enemy equipment, positions, and personnel, equipped with guided missiles or bombs for high-precision strikes.
Examples:
- Bayraktar TB2
- Saker Scout
- Phoenix Ghost
- Tarantula UAV
FAQ
Does Ukraine use AI?
Yes, Ukraine has utilized artificial intelligence-augmented systems in several ways:
For example:
- AI-enhanced cameras can spot enemy artillery positions or mobile units from afar and relay real-time intelligence to Ukrainian forces;
- AI is widely used for video and photo analysis and helps automatically identify intelligence data.
- AI-based obstacle avoidance systems can navigate through dense urban areas or forests where human operators might struggle;
- AI-assisted drones can autonomously patrol and survey areas, alerting soldiers to enemy presence with little need for real-time human control.
What is the most popular drone in Ukraine?
The most popular drones used by Ukrainian forces in the ongoing war are the Chinese-made DJI Mavic, domestically made FPV drones and heavy-bombers like HeavyShot.
Does Ukraine make its own drones?
Absolutely. Ukraine has been actively developing and producing its own drones for military purposes, both for reconnaissance and combat missions. During the war, Ukraine’s drone industry has significantly expanded, with a focus on indigenous development to meet the needs of the frontline. For now, manufacturing of ESCs, flight controllers, video and radio transmitters, motors, and frames has begun in Ukraine.
What are the challenges of using drones in warfare?
Probably, the biggest concern is the cyber security risk: drones can be easily hacked or jammed, which eventually may give an advantage to an adversary. Another challenge is that drones need stable communication links, which might be difficult in some areas. Also, the price of drones can be a concern.
Conclusion
The Russia-Ukraine war is driving innovations in autonomous warfare not seen on other battlefields. The drone army keeps growing and evolving thanks to Ukraine’s drone manufacturers and partners’ support, which is never enough.