Last February, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a heated discussion about keeping close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump grew vocal and doubted that Kyiv would win the war, saying, “Your country is in big trouble. You’re not winning. You don’t have the cards.”
And Ukraine took his comment personally. Within four years of the conflict, their military has displayed its prowess in perfecting drone strikes. On Aug. 10, Kyiv attacked the Russian city of Nizhnekamsk. The machines were reported to have targeted an oil refinery. It cost the lives of 13 people.
How Tactical Droning Strengthened Ukraine
When the Russian-Kyiv War began in 2022, the odds of Ukraine winning were seen as seemingly impossible based on its military’s arsenal. However, their soldiers proved they were more prepared than Putin predicted. The nation hosted a drone program after Russia illegally annexed Crimea and Donbas in 2014.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) admitted that their training was underdeveloped, but local manufacturers and civilian groups supported them in making homemade and commercial munitions. Their luck changed when the forces acquired the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 in 2019. This drone is equipped with an autopilot system and advanced sensors and can travel 150 km (93.2 miles) on a 27-hour battery life.
Kyiv drone pilots later adapted the technology into warfare when Russia deployed Shahed attack drones on its air forces. Their mission was to deplete Ukraine’s resources in hopes of preventing further weapon manufacturing. Zelensky successfully convinced then-President Joe Biden to offer military aid, granting them access to the Phoenix Ghost, a kamikaze drone.
They are designed with Switchblade tactical missile systems. The machines’ main functions are to defend against Russian tanks and armored vehicles. Both the Phoenix Ghost and the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 led the development of the ‘Army of Drones’ program that trained Ukrainian soldiers in testing and operating drones from their homeland and allies.
The results led to Russia and Ukraine being locked in drone fights to defend vital assets, such as oil deposits. It also served as a counter-initiative against targeted attacks, and as a method to infiltrate enemy territories for surveillance and long-distance strikes without spending millions on a missile.
Why Drone Attacks Are Escalating Fear in Europe
The recent drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine are stirring neighboring countries as the war continues. Al Jazeera reported that Bulgaria witnessed a drone explosion near the Trans-Balkan pipeline and Romanian border on Aug. 8. The country’s prime minister, Rumen Radev, informed the public that the projectile originated from Türkiye and was traveling to Ukraine.
The same article also mentions Germany, where an armed forces spokesperson reported seeing two drones spotted at Mechrich around 8 PM GMT on Aug. 6. The projectiles were located in North Rhine-Westphalia, which is 35km (22 miles) from the Belgian border. It raised security concerns after a quadcopter drone rigged with plastic explosives bypassed Lezpig/Halle Airport two days before.
Since 2024, AFU has implemented AI-trained software to allow them to reach their destination or designated target on their own. A majority of the wandering projectiles are kamikazes. Nizhnekamsk would soon suffer from this explosive weapon on Aug. 10. According to NPR, the drones targeted the Russian city’s oil refineries and petrochemical plant.
As of Aug. 11, the death count is up to 13, while 78 people have been wounded. The attack was a response to the devastating strike on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine has been aggressively targeting industrial facilities since December 2023. Zelensky has been very vocal about Putin’s uncooperative behavior in finding peace deals. He has stated that any attack Russia launches, means Ukraine will respond by demonstrating their drone mastery.
“We do deliver entirely justified responses, and every Russian strike will be met with our response,” Zelensky informed the press on Aug. 9. “[…] The only reason this is continuing is Russia’s unwillingness to end the war.” However, both nations are under scrutiny, and this could lead world leaders to soon have discussions regarding border security.
