Ukraine Needs More Drones

Tight cooperation with Beijing and Tehran is giving Moscow an edge on the critical weapons.

A man holds a drone in Ukraine. October 16, 2025, 9:38 AM Comment icon View Comments ( )

Russia’s War in Ukraine

Understanding the conflict three years on.

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As Ukrainian soldiers describe a front line increasingly dominated by drones, Kyiv’s ability to acquire enough of the weapons is emerging as a key problem in its defense against Russia.

“We have so many military targets and too few drones,” said Erik, a Ukrainian soldier working in a long-range drone strike unit. Erik is identified only by his Ukrainian army call sign due to the sensitive nature of his work.

As Ukrainian soldiers describe a front line increasingly dominated by drones,

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