10.04.2026
In 2026, Ukraine achieved an important advantage on the battlefield. It is about the use of unmanned systems and the introduction of innovations and technological adaptations to increase their effectiveness.
This advantage allowed Ukraine to conduct counter-offensive operations and was reflected in the number of Russian occupiers and equipment destroyed: they increased so much that even the Kremlin noticed it. Details were revealed by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Ukraine has achieved superiority in the use of drones
Data coming from both Ukraine and Russia corroborate battlefield reports that Ukrainian forces have achieved superiority over Russian forces in the use of drones. And Ukraine’s superiority in the use of drones is likely contributing to the halting of the Russian advance and recent Ukrainian counterattacks.
ISW stated that Ukraine has significantly intensified its medium-range strike campaign against Russian logistics, military equipment, and manpower since late 2025 and especially early 2026, which has hindered Russia’s advance across the entire theater of operations and is likely also hindering this year’s spring-summer offensive by the enemy.
ISW obtained geolocation evidence that Ukrainian forces launched 41 medium-range strikes in January , 61 in February , and 115 in March 2026.
“These Ukrainian strikes were mostly directed against Russian forces and assets in eastern and southern Ukraine, particularly near occupied Donetsk, which has worsened Russia’s preparations for offensive operations in recent weeks and months,” ISW believes.
What does the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine say?
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrsky, reported on April 9 that the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces are performing over 11,000 combat missions per day and have struck over 150,000 verified targets in March 2026 alone. This is 50% more than in February 2026.
Syrsky also said that the Defense Forces have launched over 350 medium-range strikes, including against 143 Russian logistics facilities and warehouses, 52 command posts, and 20 oil and gas and energy infrastructure facilities.
At the same time, according to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia has expanded its unmanned systems forces to over 101,000 servicemen as of early April and plans to increase them to 165,500 by the end of 2026.
Propagandists recognize Ukraine’s superiority in using UAVs
Ukraine’s superiority is recognized even in the Z-community.
Propagandists supporting aggression against our state have begun writing that Ukraine is making progress in its aerial suppression efforts on the battlefield using drones and other technological adaptations.
“ISW recently observed reports that Ukrainian technological adaptations and innovations in the drone sector allowed Ukrainian forces to inflict greater losses on the Russians in the first quarter of 2026 (approximately January 1 to March 31) compared to 2025,” the analysts commented.
They also quoted one of the Russian “military experts” who wrote on March 12: Ukrainian units at the junction of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia regions, where Ukrainian counterattacks were taking place, simultaneously used 300-400 drones, deployed to a depth of 20 kilometers, to strike at Russian forces.
“Russian officials have repeatedly attempted to spread a false narrative that the Ukrainian frontline and political stability are on the verge of collapse, in an attempt to persuade the West to capitulate to Russian demands that Russia cannot provide militarily. Recent evidence suggests that not only are Russian forces failing on the battlefield, but that recent Ukrainian innovations in drones have shifted the battlefield advantage in Ukraine’s favor. Ukraine’s recent successes are leading to tactical, operational, and strategic consequences in the battlespace that undermine the Russian narrative that the Ukrainian frontline is on the verge of collapse,” the analysts noted.
They added that Ukraine has developed its drone industry and implemented effective innovations partly thanks to the contribution of Western partners.
Ukrainian superiority is visible even from the Kremlin
Analysts mentioned unverified reports that the Kremlin tacitly recognizes Ukraine’s superiority in battlefield drone operations and defense-industrial base production.
In particular, one of the Russian military bloggers, citing his own sources, wrote on April 9: Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov told Russian dictator Vladimir Putin that Ukraine has a “significant technological advantage” in front-line drone warfare.
Belousov allegedly stated that the situation is “critical” for Russian forces, as Ukraine has both a numerical advantage in drones and has developed a new “generation of equipment.”
The Russian defense chief also told the dictator that Ukraine was using “more sophisticated systems” that Russian forces were “largely unprepared” to counter.
Sources say Belousov emphasized several issues, including that the new Ukrainian drones operate “around the clock,” that they are “virtually inaudible” until the moment of impact, and that Russian conventional defense methods, including standard detectors and electronic warfare (EW) equipment, are ineffective against the drones.
The Russian minister allegedly stated that Russia needs to focus on developing its own next-generation systems, and that current drone models acquired through external channels and foreign procurement are no longer effective enough on the front lines.
In response, Putin reportedly identified the development of drone technology domestically as a priority for the future.
“ISW cannot verify the authenticity of this message,” the analysts clarified.
They added that since Belousov’s submission, the Russian army has been implementing initiatives regarding UAVs. And in 2025, they even gave the aggressor certain advantages. In particular, thanks to the activities of the Russian Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies “Rubicon”.
Everything changed after the February 1 blocking of Starlink, which Russian forces relied on both for frontline communications and to extend the range of drones to continue strikes on the Ukrainian rear and create air suppression effects on the battlefield.
” Russian drone innovation is lagging behind as Russia has prioritized scaling up production of a few drone models over innovation, in part due to reported resistance to change from the Russian military’s top command. Belousov is likely to continue his efforts to expand new drone technologies to overcome the challenges posed by the Starlink shutdown and Ukrainian technological adaptation, and over time he may be able to eliminate the current clear advantage of Ukrainian UAVs,” ISW believes.
How Ukraine used its advantage
ISW believes that Ukraine’s recent successes on the battlefield (which are the largest since the Kursk operation and the 2023 counteroffensive) were facilitated by an increase in the number of strikes by Ukrainian troops against Russian air defense systems and the level of drone interceptions.
The commander of the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert “Magyar” Brovdy, reported on April 9 that nine Russian air defense systems had been destroyed in the occupied part of Ukraine since April 1 .
In addition, the SBS has been intercepting Russian drones more and more often since the end of February 2026. If in January it was possible to intercept 2,975 Russian UAVs, in February there were already 3,679, and in March this figure increased to 7,674.
“Interceptor drones are of critical tactical importance on the battlefield, as Russian forces rely on drones to disrupt Ukrainian defenses, which in turn facilitates Russian advances and prevents Ukrainian advances. Thus, more frequent Ukrainian interceptions of Russian drones facilitate Ukrainian counterattacks and slow Russian advances. Ukraine’s defensive successes, drone adaptation, and medium-range strike campaign create absorbing effects that weaken Russian forces on the front lines,” ISW believes.
As OBOZ.UA reported, Ukrainian troops recently advanced in the Pokrovske direction.
ISW also explained why Russia is talking about “nuclear escalation” again.
In addition, analysts suggested which regions of Ukraine the Kremlin was “targeting”.