Kyiv: NATO’s armed forces are ill-equipped to confront the realities of modern drone warfare, a Ukrainian military commander has cautioned, as the conflict with Russia continues to evolve into a technological arms race.
Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, head of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, emphasized that Kyiv is striving to stay ahead by leveraging artificial intelligence, deploying advanced ground drones, and experimenting with laser technology to neutralize Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Speaking from a newly outfitted office of the Unmanned Systems Forces—its location undisclosed for security reasons—Sukharevskyi highlighted the rapid transformation of drone warfare since Russia’s invasion in 2022. He noted its impact on traditional military doctrines, stressing that NATO forces remain unprepared for the scale and complexity of drone threats.
“From what I see and hear, not a single NATO army is ready to resist the cascade of drones,” Sukharevskyi told Reuters in a recent interview.
Drones: A Cost-Effective Military Advantage
Sukharevskyi urged NATO to recognize the economic advantage of drones, which are significantly cheaper to produce compared to the conventional weaponry required to counter them.
“It’s just elementary mathematics. How much does a missile that shoots down a (Russian) Shahed (drone) cost? And how much does it cost to deploy a ship, a plane, and an air defense system to fire at it?” he questioned.
Basic long-range drones can be produced for just a few thousand dollars, while Russia’s Shahed strike drones are estimated to cost tens of thousands. In contrast, air defense interceptor missiles carry six- or seven-figure price tags in U.S. dollars, with limited stockpiles making their use financially unsustainable in prolonged conflicts.
NATO armed forces are not ready for a modern drone war, the military commander in charge of Ukraine's unmanned systems warned https://t.co/IKxPGzcSxk pic.twitter.com/yZPTtK5Wvk
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 5, 2025
Sukharevskyi’s warning comes as European NATO members ramp up defense spending amid concerns that the Ukraine conflict could escalate. With wavering U.S. support for Ukraine, these efforts have gained urgency.
Since the war began, drone warfare has expanded dramatically. Ukraine reported producing 2.2 million small First Person View (FPV) drones and 100,000 larger long-range UAVs in 2024. Russia previously estimated its production of FPV drones at 1.4 million for the same year.
“Right now, even the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine says that more than 60% of targets are destroyed by drones,” Sukharevskyi noted.
“The only question is how the tactics of their use will develop, and, following on from that, the technological aspect.”
The Rapidly Evolving Battlefield
Russian drone attacks, often numbering over 100 in a single assault, have become a frequent threat to Ukraine. These strikes involve a combination of Iranian-designed Shahed drones and lower-cost decoy models, which deplete Ukraine’s limited air defense resources.
In response, Ukraine has deployed pickup trucks mounted with machine guns and military aviation to improve drone interception. Efforts are also underway to develop alternative countermeasures, including FPV interceptor drones and laser-based defense systems.
According to Sukharevskyi, Ukraine has successfully tested lasers to neutralize fixed-wing drones, with plans to integrate the technology into combat operations, though he did not disclose specific timelines.
His forces have also begun deploying mothership drones, which carry two FPV drones up to 70 km (43 miles) before releasing them and serving as a relay station for their communication.
Sukharevskyi estimated that thousands of unmanned ground vehicles are now operating on the front lines, reducing the need for soldiers to enter high-risk areas for logistics or combat missions.
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The Rise of AI-Driven Warfare
Both Ukraine and Russia are engaged in electronic warfare, using jamming techniques to disrupt drone signal links. This has led to the rise of autonomous targeting systems, where AI helps guide drones to their targets once selected by a human operator. However, Sukharevskyi emphasized that the final decision to strike must always be made by a human, not by AI.
At least half of Ukraine’s frontline drone units have begun incorporating automated targeting, and Sukharevskyi predicts that most combat drones will eventually rely on such systems.
Despite these advancements, Ukraine still faces logistical hurdles. The country struggles to fully meet the demand for strike drone munitions, which are often supplied separately. Some military units have taken matters into their own hands, producing their own munitions, with one brigade reportedly manufacturing 6,000 to 10,000 units per month.
“If it wasn’t for drones, everything would be a lot worse. Drones are the things which allow us to give an asymmetrical response (when) the enemy is larger, stronger, and on the attack,” Sukharevskyi said.
