Forbes: Ukrainian Drones With AI Are "trashing" Russian Logistics Deep Behind The Scenes
- 13.05.2026, 11:03
Changing the nature of warfare.
Ukrainian forces are increasingly using drones with artificial intelligence to strike Russian supply lines, expanding the fighting far beyond the frontline and changing the nature of the war, writes Forbes.
While working at a forward command post in Kharkiv region, journalists watched Ukrainian operators launch a drone, which in the final phase independently fixes the target and corrects the guidance. A few minutes later, another drone hit a detected enemy vehicle.
Commander of the drone unit "Yasnye Glazy" of the 13th Operational Brigade of the NSU "Khartiya" Georgiy Volkov notes that technology is dramatically changing battle tactics:
"Technologies are developing, changing the battlefield."
He says the new systems allow not only to find targets faster, but also to strike deep behind Russian positions - at logistics that support offensive actions.
Drones as a cheaper alternative to missiles
Ukrainian units are increasingly replacing expensive precision weapons systems with cheap FPV drones and autonomous platforms. In some cases, the cost of such drones ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
"Thanks to our own developments, we are not limited in planning military operations," said one Ukrainian officer.
According to the Ukrainian military, this makes it possible to simultaneously attack various levels of Russian logistics - from forward positions to rear warehouses and transport routes at a distance of dozens of kilometers.
Logistics strikes instead of frontal attacks
Ukrainian tactics are increasingly aimed not at directly destroying enemy forces on the front line, but at destroying the supply system:
fuel convoys;
munitions depots;
command posts;
supply routes.
Experts note that this strategy is gradually "eroding" the Russian army's offensive capabilities.
"The rear is no longer safe"
Analysts and military bloggers recognize that the depth of the front for Russian forces no longer guarantees safety. Ukrainian drones are increasingly operating at distances of 30-100 km or more from the contact line, hitting vehicles and equipment.
"These attacks ... cause disruptions in troop rotation and ammunition shortages," said Dmytro Putyata, a member of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Force.
According to experts, Ukraine is moving toward a model of mass use of autonomous systems, where a single operator will be able to control dozens of drones simultaneously. The effectiveness of such systems depends on electronic warfare, weather and rapid enemy adaptation.