When the world's at stake,
go beyond the headlines.

National security. For insiders. By insiders.

National security. For insiders. By insiders.

Join War on the Rocks and gain access to content trusted by policymakers, military leaders, and strategic thinkers worldwide.

Update from the Battlefield: Drones, Distance, and Diminishing Returns for Russia

April 9, 2026
Update from the Battlefield: Drones, Distance, and Diminishing Returns for Russia
Update from the Battlefield: Drones, Distance, and Diminishing Returns for Russia

Update from the Battlefield: Drones, Distance, and Diminishing Returns for Russia

Michael Kofman and Ryan Evans
April 9, 2026

Michael Kofman joins Ryan to unpack the current state of the Russo-Ukrainian War after his recent trip to the front. They examine how drone warfare has transformed the battlefield into a dispersed contest over a vast kill zone, why Russian infiltration tactics have failed to produce meaningful gains, and how Ukraine is working to close gaps in its strike capabilities. They also explore the growing pressure from Russian long-range strikes and how the war in Iran is beginning to shape the conflict.

Image: ArmyInform via Wikimedia Commons

Warcast
Get the Briefing from Those Who've Been There
Subscribe for sharp analysis and grounded insights from warriors, diplomats, and scholars.