Back in June 2025, Ukraine staged a brazen drone strike on Russian strategic bomber bases that captured the attention of the world. They were able to knock out or damage a good portion of Russia’s nuclear-capable bomber force—something that only a few years prior appeared close to impossible. This was not merely a military victory; it was a stark indication that the old theories regarding military might and safety zones no longer apply as they used to.
The mission, called “Spider’s Web,” was unprecedented. Ukraine launched 117 small first-person view (FPV) drones, infiltrated deep into Russia, and released from commercial vehicles up to 1,000 miles inside their border. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility, hitting four large airbases and reportedly destroying or disabling at least 13 aircraft—Tu-95 Bears, Tu-22M3 Backfires, and some rare A-50U early warning aircraft. These drones weren’t only inexpensive and in big numbers—they were also employing AI to seek out and attack targets independently, a degree of technology that seemed like something straight out of a science fiction film.
The effect was huge. Images and videos that were going viral provided clear proof of the damage, although Russian authorities attempted to minimize it. Some Russian pundits equated it to their own “Pearl Harbor,” while others claimed that the losses were insignificant. Whatever the actual numbers, it made Moscow reassess where and how it stores its bombers, reducing their capacity to threaten Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
This attack did not occur suddenly. It was partially an answer to the Russian missile and drone bombardment of Ukrainian civilian targets. Russia has sent tens of thousands of drones and missiles, including the low-cost, Iranian-designed Shahed-136—a one-way drone that costs around $35,000 per unit. Ukraine destroys most of the, but the sheer numbers tire out defenses and sow fear. Experts tell us that Russia pays approximately $350,000 on average per target hit by these drones, which is significantly less than cruise missiles and even lower than Ukraine sometimes pays to shoot them down.
Drone warfare is turning the old military playbook upside down. For years, analysts assumed that victory meant pricey, cutting-edge weapons. Today, swarms of inexpensive, consumer-grade drones are inflicting billions of dollars in destruction on high-value targets. One American politician noted that Ukraine’s June raid used more than $100,000 worth of drones to destroy more than $7 billion in Russian aircraft. That sort of cost-effectiveness is compelling defense leaders to think quickly.
And it’s not all about expense. The sudden surge of drones has ignited a heated arms race. Russia and Ukraine are both churning out drones by the millions. Ukraine’s defense ministry announced that they ordered more than 1.6 million drones of different types within a year, with monthly shipments now totaling 200,000 units. These include small recon quadcopters to long-range strike drones with the capability to reach targets 1,500 kilometers away. The battlefield is now so congested with drones that tanks and infantry must move from further back, making traditional tactics such as massing forces almost impossible.
Of course, all those drones have brought with them a wave of countermeasures. The best defense currently is electronic warfare—jamming signals and severing drone control links. Both sides change frequencies constantly and employ signal boosters to trick the other. The next great step is fully autonomous drones—drone machines that require no signal to locate targets and attack, rendering jamming useless. One Ukrainian pilot told journalists, “You can’t jam a drone that doesn’t need a signal.”
Nevertheless, the situation on the ground is more complicated. FPV drones, as promising as they are, are finicky and temperamental. One former Ukrainian drone pilot explained that technical malfunctions, poor pilot proficiency, and electromagnetic interference result in only a few successful missions. Most drone strikes are secondary attacks against targets already damaged by other weapons. And artillery or mortars will still be more dependable and less expensive for most purposes. And managing these huge quantities of drones introduces new supply and logistics issues.
For military forces around the world, particularly the high-tech ones, the message is unmistakable—and somewhat disquieting. Simple possession of large distances and high-tech gear no longer ensures safety. The United States, for instance, continues to have trouble fielding cheap and effective counter-drone technology at home even as its troops are subjected to hundreds of drone attacks overseas.
The Pentagon is spending money on new interceptors and lasers, but coordinating everything through the agencies and services is challenging. Experts caution that transforming how the forces are organized, trained, and legally authorized is equally essential to new technology.
War’s future is coming sooner than most anticipated. Ukraine’s drone war demonstrates that victory now hinges upon being able to adapt, be innovative, and rapidly embrace new technologies. AI, autonomous systems, and mass-manufactured drones are leveling the playing field, eliminating the previously dominant benefits of size and wealth. As this war continues, militaries everywhere will be forced to rethink not only their arms but also how wars are waged and won.