Today at 17:02
Forbes has reported that, for the first time in the full-scale war, Ukrainians hold a tank advantage over Russians in certain sections of the front, thanks to drones.
Russian tanks are now largely limited to firing from camouflaged positions far from the front line, effectively functioning as imprecise howitzers. This shift has been attributed to Ukraine’s successful deployment of drones. These drones target Russian tanks well behind the contact line, preventing them from reaching attack positions.
Ukrainian tanks, in contrast, are operating more freely, able to engage Russian forces directly with cannons and machine guns. This is possible because of safer airspace created by Ukrainian drones, which have been deployed at scale and with refined tactics. Russian sources have expressed frustration over the impact of Ukraine’s drone operations on their tank deployments.
However, in the Kursk region, where Russian forces are prioritizing their most advanced fiber-optic drones, Ukraine’s advantage is less pronounced. These jamming-resistant drones have been instrumental in repelling Ukrainian advances, including targeting advanced tanks like the M1 Abrams and Leopard 2s. Yet, such drones are concentrated in priority sectors, leaving other Russian units reliant on less effective systems.
Despite Ukraine’s growing armored advantage, Russian anti-tank missiles and a shortage of Ukrainian infantry continue to pose challenges, Forbes concluded.
