Types of Drones Used in the Ukraine War

Types of Drones Used in the Ukraine War – A Comprehensive Analysis

Introduction

The war in Ukraine has emerged as a testing ground for 21st-century warfare technologies, with drones playing a central role in both tactical and strategic operations. From reconnaissance missions and artillery correction to kamikaze strikes and logistics, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have transformed the battlefield. The Ukraine war is often referred to as the first “drone war” of its kind, given the scale and diversity of UAV deployment.

This report explores the major categories of drones used in the Ukraine conflict by both Ukrainian and Russian forces, provides detailed technical and operational data, and discusses how these systems have shaped modern warfare. It includes analyses of combat drones, surveillance UAVs, kamikaze drones, and civilian-modified quadcopters, drawing on open-source intelligence and military assessments.

1. The Strategic Importance of Drones in the Ukraine War

1.1 Rise of Drone Warfare

Drones have become essential in modern conflicts due to their affordability, low risk to operators, and ability to penetrate deep into enemy territory. Ukraine has used drones to level the playing field against a much larger Russian military, while Russia has also relied on imported and indigenous UAVs to conduct long-range strikes and surveillance.

1.2 Roles Played by Drones

Drones in Ukraine are used for:

Reconnaissance and surveillance

Artillery spotting and correction

Direct attack missions

Electronic warfare

Target acquisition

Psychological warfare through constant overhead presence

Strategic sabotage, such as attacks on energy infrastructure

2. Categories of Drones in Use

2.1 Combat Drones (UCAVs – Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles)

These are armed drones capable of launching missiles or bombs.

2.2 Kamikaze (Loitering) Drones

These drones loiter over the battlefield and crash into targets with explosive payloads, acting like airborne missiles.

2.3 Reconnaissance Drones

Unarmed drones used primarily for intelligence gathering and artillery adjustment.

2.4 Civilian-Modified Drones

Commercial off-the-shelf drones adapted for military purposes, often modified with improvised munitions.

3. Drones Used by Ukraine

3.1 Bayraktar TB2 (Turkish-made)

Manufacturer: Baykar Technologies, Turkey

Type: Medium-altitude, long-endurance UCAV

Wingspan: 12 meters

Endurance: 27 hours

Payload: Up to 150 kg

Armament: MAM-C and MAM-L guided bombs

Use in Ukraine:

Extensively used in early 2022 to target Russian armored columns.

Credited with destroying tanks, anti-air systems, and logistics vehicles.

Played a propaganda role, being featured in Ukrainian morale-building songs and media.

3.2 Punisher and Spectre (Ukrainian-made)

Manufacturer: UA Dynamics (Punisher), Infozahyst (Spectre)

Punisher Drone:

Tactical drone capable of deep-strike missions.

Used to destroy enemy supply lines.

Spectre Drone:

ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) platform.

Operates at low altitudes with a small radar signature.

3.3 RAM II Kamikaze Drone

Type: Loitering munition developed by Ukrainian engineers

Range: ~30 km

Payload: Explosive warhead

Deployment:

Deployed against high-value targets like command posts and armored vehicles.

Launched from portable ground systems.

3.4 Leleka-100

Type: Tactical reconnaissance drone

Endurance: ~2.5 hours

Range: 45 km

Use:

Commonly used for artillery spotting.

Deployed by Ukraine’s regular army and territorial defense units.

3.5 Furia UAV

Designed by: Athlone Avia

Range: 50 km

Use:

Fast deployment time (under 10 minutes)

Provides target coordinates for artillery units

3.6 Civilian Drones (DJI Mavic and Autel)

Type: Commercial quadcopters

Use in War:

Modified with drop systems to release grenades

Used for real-time battlefield reconnaissance

Cost-effective and replaceable

Vulnerability: Easily jammed and tracked using radio-frequency direction finding

4. Drones Used by Russia

4.1 Orlan-10

Manufacturer: Special Technology Center, Russia

Type: Tactical reconnaissance UAV

Endurance: 16 hours

Range: 120 km

Payload: Cameras, electronic warfare gear

Use in Ukraine:

Conducts battlefield surveillance

Guides artillery strikes

Capable of jamming enemy communications

4.2 Lancet-3 Loitering Munition

Manufacturer: ZALA Aero (part of Kalashnikov Concern)

Type: Kamikaze drone

Range: 40–70 km

Payload: Explosive warhead (3–5 kg)

Use:

Destroys Ukrainian radars, artillery, and air defense systems

Frequently seen in video footage of strikes on Western-supplied equipment

4.3 KUB-BLA (Suicide Drone)

Manufacturer: ZALA Aero

Speed: 80–130 km/h

Use:

Targets infantry positions and light vehicles

High precision but limited payload

4.4 Shahed-136 / Geran-2 (Iranian-made)

Manufacturer: Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries

Use by Russia: Rebranded as Geran-2

Type: Long-range kamikaze drone

Range: Up to 2000 km

Payload: 40–50 kg warhead

Use in Ukraine:

Mass raids on infrastructure and civilian power grids

Used in “swarms” to overwhelm air defenses

Weakness: Slow and noisy, vulnerable to MANPADS and small arms

4.5 Forpost-R

Origin: Israeli IAI Searcher II, reverse-engineered

Use:

Medium-range reconnaissance

Capable of guiding air strikes

Used for both surveillance and limited offensive roles

5. Impact of Drone Warfare in Ukraine

5.1 Tactical Advantages

Allowed small units to locate and destroy large mechanized formations.

Enhanced situational awareness across the front lines.

Provided real-time feedback for artillery and airstrikes.

5.2 Cost-Effectiveness

Even a $1,000 drone can destroy a $1 million tank.

Reduced reliance on manned aircraft in contested airspace.

Allowed cheaper asymmetric responses against superior firepower.

5.3 Psychological Warfare

Constant presence of drones erodes troop morale.

Loud engines and loitering behavior induce panic before strikes.

5.4 Civilian and Infrastructure Impact

Shahed drones hit civilian power grids and urban areas.

Caused widespread blackouts and forced the development of decentralized power solutions.

6. Drone Countermeasures

6.1 Electronic Warfare

Both sides deploy jamming systems to disrupt GPS and data links.

Russian systems like Krasukha-4 and Leer-3 used to jam Ukrainian UAVs.

Ukraine uses NATO-supplied counter-UAV systems to disrupt Russian drones.

6.2 Air Defense

MANPADS (e.g., Stinger, Igla) used to shoot down drones.

Radar-guided guns and mobile defense systems deployed around cities and command posts.

Shaheds often intercepted with cheaper gun-based systems or small surface-to-air missiles.

6.3 Drone-on-Drone Combat

Reports of drone “dogfights” and intercepts.

FPV drones used to chase and destroy enemy UAVs in mid-air.

7. Civilian Innovations and Volunteer Contributions

7.1 Crowdfunding Drones

Ukraine’s “Army of Drones” campaign raised millions of dollars for UAVs.

Turkish Bayraktar TB2s were purchased with public donations.

7.2 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping

Ukrainian engineers developed drop mechanisms, camera stabilizers, and even whole drones using 3D printers.

Allowed quick adaptation to battlefield needs.

7.3 DIY Kamikaze FPVs

Small quadcopters loaded with explosives and flown directly into enemy trenches and vehicles.

Extremely cost-effective and precise in close-quarters operations.

8. Legal and Ethical Considerations

8.1 Civilian Targeting and War Crimes

Russia’s use of Shahed drones against civilian targets may constitute war crimes.

Intentional targeting of infrastructure like hospitals or power grids is illegal under international law.

8.2 Drone Surveillance and Privacy

Drones used to monitor not just combatants but also civilians in occupied territories.

Raises questions about surveillance legality and psychological impact.

8.3 AI-Enabled Targeting

Both sides experimenting with autonomous or semi-autonomous targeting.

Raises long-term concerns about accountability and rules of engagement.

9. Future of Drone Warfare in Ukraine and Beyond

9.1 Swarm Technologies

Development of coordinated drone swarms for overwhelming defenses.

Ukraine and Russia experimenting with AI-driven swarm tactics.

9.2 Naval and Underwater Drones

Ukraine deployed maritime drones to attack Russian ships in the Black Sea.

Unmanned surface vehicles used to sabotage naval infrastructure.

9.3 Autonomous Drones

Growing focus on drones with autonomous navigation and target recognition.

Integration with AI to reduce reliance on human operators.

9.4 Drone Logistics

Drone deliveries of ammunition and supplies in difficult terrain.

Potential expansion into autonomous battlefield logistics.

Conclusion

The Ukraine war has established drones as not just tools of convenience, but central components of military doctrine. From high-tech UCAVs like the Bayraktar TB2 to $500 FPV kamikazes made in garages, drones have enabled new forms of warfare that combine innovation, adaptability, and devastating impact. Both Ukraine and Russia have pushed the boundaries of what unmanned systems can achieve, with long-lasting implications for future conflicts worldwide.

The war has revealed not just the potential, but the vulnerabilities of drone warfare. Jamming, countermeasures, ethical boundaries, and legal frameworks will need to evolve alongside drone technologies. One thing, however, is clear: drones have irreversibly changed the face of war.