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

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

From War on the Rocks by Ryan Evans

April 9, 2026 · 28 min

About this episode

Michael Kofman joins Ryan to discuss the current state of the Russo-Ukrainian War and the impact of drone warfare on the battlefield.

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.

People in this episode

Host: Ryan Evans

Guest: Michael Kofman

Topics covered

  • drone warfare
  • Russo-Ukrainian War
  • military tactics
  • long-range strikes
  • conflict dynamics

Keywords

  • drone warfare
  • Russo-Ukrainian War
  • military tactics
  • Russian infiltration
  • long-range strikes
  • Ukraine strike capabilities
  • Iran conflict

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Russia, Ukraine, Iran

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