A Case Study on Global Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAV Offensive and Defensive Operations - UAV Offensive and Defensive Operations in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

With the wide application of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology in modern warfare, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has become a typical case for observing UAV offensive and defensive operations. Both sides extensively utilized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to carry out reconnaissance, strike, and jamming tasks during the conflict, profoundly altering the traditional combat mode. The experiences and lessons learned from this have significant reference value for the global military field.

The author has selected twenty typical cases from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and conducted a detailed analysis of the first four. The case shows that the Ukrainian army has repeatedly used drones to launch surprise attacks on the Russian army's logistics supply lines and command centers, while the Russian army has suppressed the Ukrainian army's positions through drone swarm tactics. The operations between the two sides presented characteristics such as the combination of commercial and military unmanned aerial vehicles, the coordination of multiple combat forces, and intense electronic warfare confrontations. The Ukrainian army has innovated combat strategies such as multi-wave continuous attacks and concurrent deep strikes, while the Russian army focuses on the coordinated operation of drone swarms, with combat styles covering diverse modes including single-unit surprise attacks and swarm attacks.

In the application of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, both sides have invested in various types of UAVs. The Russian army's Orion and Lancet drones undertake reconnaissance and strike missions. The Lancet has the ability to precisely destroy armored targets. The Ukrainian army's Flag-bearer TB2 and modified commercial drones have also frequently participated in battles, capable of conducting medium-range reconnaissance and strikes. These unmanned aircraft have limitations in terms of endurance and anti-interference, and their combat effectiveness is greatly affected by the environment and the enemy's countermeasures.

In the application of anti-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, the Russian military has established a multi-level system that includes electronic warfare, air defense, and laser weapons. The electronic warfare system has a significant jamming effect but has limited effectiveness against strongly anti-jamming UAVs. The Ukrainian army has established an anti-drone system through international aid and self-research and development. The interception effect of air defense weapons against low-altitude small drones is not good, and laser weapons are restricted by factors such as weather. Both sides follow the approach of reconnaissance - interference - strike and adopt tactical strategies such as regional joint defense and mobile defense.

From the perspective of experience and lessons learned, at the technical level, both sides have recognized the importance of enhancing the anti-interference, endurance and autonomous combat capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as strengthening anti-UAV detection and identification technologies. At the tactical level, the necessity of coordinating unmanned aerial vehicles with other combat forces and flexibly adjusting strategies is emphasized. At the operational system level, problems such as poor command and coordination and insufficient system collaboration have been exposed, and it is necessary to strengthen system integration.

In terms of inspiration for combat styles, future unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations should explore innovative models such as swarm combat and human-UAV collaboration, and enhance integration with other combat forces. Anti-drone operations require the establishment of a multi-level defense system, the comprehensive application of electronic jamming, fire interception and other means, and the strengthening of research on the response to new types of drones. The practice of drone attack and defense in the Russia-Ukraine conflict shows that drones have become a key element in modern warfare.

Based on open-source information, the author has conducted a detailed analysis of the characteristics of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) offensive and defensive operations between Russia and Ukraine, as well as their combat methods and styles. In addition, an overview of the unmanned and anti-UAV systems used in offensive and defensive operations has been provided, and the performance of the relevant systems has been evaluated in combination with the cases. In addition, the styles of its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) missions and the ideas and strategies for anti-unmanned operations were analyzed, and the experience and inspirations provided by relevant cases were summarized for readers to understand the relevant information.