New drones are giving Ukraine a battlefield advantage and ravaging Russia’s oil industry

Ukraine’s constant innovation in drone technology is giving its military an edge on the battlefield, dealing major blows to Russia’s army and economy.

While Russia invaded Ukraine four years ago with superior numbers, that advantage has since been neutralized by Western aid and the emergence of new drones, which now account for the vast majority of casualties.

Both sides have scrambled to deploy upgraded versions, but Ukraine appears to be innovating faster and has recently gained the upper hand.

“Recent evidence suggests that not only are Russian forces facing setbacks on the battlefield, but also that recent Ukrainian drone innovations have shifted the battlefield advantage in Ukraine’s favor,” the Institute for the Study of War said in a note last week.

Drone improvements have contributed to higher Russian casualty rates so far this year compared to 2025, which had already seen staggering losses estimated at 30,000 a month.

In addition, Ukraine’s new weapons have enabled more strikes on Russian air-defense systems as well as more interceptions of Russian drones, according to ISW. As a result, Russian advances have slowed down, allowing Ukraine to counterattack.

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