According to Forbes, Ukraine has become a world leader in military drones and electronic warfare, overtaking Russia, which has lost its lead in the 30 months since the large-scale invasion.

During the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia successfully used drones and electronic warfare to disrupt Ukrainian communications and attack positions. At the time, Russia was a leader in these technologies, but as the large-scale invasion progressed, it lost this advantage.

By rapidly developing and deploying superior drones and electronic warfare systems, Ukraine has managed to take a leadership role and gain a significant advantage on the battlefield.

Recent successes in the Kursk region underscore Ukraine’s military strength. Ukrainian forces use electronic warfare to neutralize Russian drones and then use their own drones to locate and attack Russian positions. Ground troops are securing the area, making systematic, steady advances. This approach leaves Russian forces with little ability to respond.

In contrast, Russia’s capabilities have declined. Initially, it used tactics similar to those used during the 2014 annexation and expanded its use of loitering munitions such as Lancet and Shahed drones. While its electronic warfare systems were initially effective, their impact is now diminishing as Ukraine adopts newer technologies and tactics.

Forbes reports that Ukraine’s technological advantage is due to the integration of the commercial and defense sectors. Over 200 Ukrainian companies now produce military drones and 50 focus on electronic warfare systems, reflecting a shift from commercial technology to military applications.

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Despite its historical experience, Russia struggles with large-scale production and relies on outdated Soviet-era equipment. The country’s defense industry is also hampered by trade embargoes and limited production capacity, forcing the focus on foreign sales rather than cutting-edge equipment.

While Ukraine benefits from a steady influx of new Western technologies, thereby increasing its development and production capacities, Russia is struggling with significant bottlenecks even in supplies from China and Iran.

Competition in drone and electronic warfare has been critical throughout the war, and Ukraine’s ability to rapidly develop and deploy sophisticated systems has given it a decisive advantage.