Ukraine’s Legion of 10,000 Drone Pilots

Driving the Russians out in a sustainable way

A military drone with a grenade (Licensed Image)

The Ukrainian response to the Russian invasion has upended military doctrines around the world. Quantity might have worked wonderfully in crushing small countries before, but it no longer works. Armies with a qualitative edge can push a much larger force off their tracks.

Over 1,000 tanks, including T-80Us and BVs, T-72B3s, and T-90Ms, that Putin ordered to attack Ukraine last February were no match for a few hundred Ukrainians carrying handheld anti-tank weapons. After Putin’s army of tanks got routed on Ukrainian highways, experts around the globe wondered if tanks’ days were numbered.

Ukraine’s air-defense strategy centered around portable and highly mobile air-defense assets forced Russia to withdraw its air force from Ukrainian frontlines. Russian pilots don’t blitz around in Ukrainian skies. It is way too risky.

• A $200,000 portable Javelin missiles to blow up tanks worth $5 to $7 million.
• $120,000 Stinger missiles to bring down $10 million Sukhoi fighter jets.
• Ukraine used low-cost weapons to nullify Russia’s powerful weapons.
• Pawns brought down rooks and bishops.