- January 27, 2026
- 1:58 pm
- Middle East
Modern warfare is rapidly changing the perception of what war looks like. Ukrainian soldiers with real frontline experience share insights with their Israeli colleagues that can no longer be considered theoretical. Drones and robotics, they say, have ceased to be auxiliary tools and have become the foundation of combat operations.
A reconnaissance drone operator from Ukraine, who has undergone several military specializations, puts it without pathos: the future of war lies with drones. In his assessment, a drone can replace several elements of a classic army at once — infantry, transport, artillery, reconnaissance aviation, and even snipers.
He explains it simply. A bullet after being fired is uncontrollable, while a drone is controllable until the last second. This is why the accuracy of a drone strike is higher than that of a sniper rifle. The economics of war have also changed: neutralizing or destroying a tank with a drone costs between 500–1000 dollars, with minimal maintenance and training costs.
Another Ukrainian soldier calls drones a “force multiplier.” One operator, acting competently, can oppose a significantly larger enemy. The constant presence of drones in the air also solves a defensive task — allowing the early detection of approaching enemy drones and reducing the element of surprise.
Ukrainian military pay special attention to robots in densely urbanized areas. A senior officer emphasizes: in urban battles and underground tunnels, which Israeli units encounter in the Gaza Strip, robotic systems effectively become the only rational option. Sending infantry into such spaces almost guarantees heavy losses.
According to him, robots are not just a replacement for personnel. They are a universal tool capable of performing reconnaissance, delivery, fire support, and demining where humans are physically vulnerable. Ukraine is already simultaneously developing systems to protect against drones, largely focusing on Israeli developments.
Electronic warfare is coming to the forefront. EW — electronic warfare means — can be seen today on almost every military vehicle at the front, including anti-aircraft installations. A senior officer is confident: the importance of jamming and intercepting signals will only grow.
A separate block is logistics. According to a mid-level officer, drones are increasingly used to deliver ammunition, food, and equipment to dangerous zones. Large equipment becomes an easy target or simply cannot pass through destroyed terrain, so supplies are delivered on foot, with light vehicles, robots, and drones.
To understand the scale: delivering cargo on foot over a distance of about seven kilometers can take from one to three days. In conditions of encirclement or isolation of units, drones often become the only way to deliver ammunition and food.
One of the officers formulates the conclusion without diplomacy: peace is only possible when a country is ready for war. Both Israel and Ukraine have come to the same understanding — no state can fully rely on external protection. Readiness, technology, and independent solutions become a matter of survival. This is the experience being analyzed today by NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency.
