How Russia’s new drones are changing the air war - ft.com
Financial Times
F
Financial Times
Original Source
Russia has developed a new generation of unmanned aerial systems that is fundamentally altering air warfare dynamics, forcing Ukraine and Western allies to recalibrate their defensive strategies. These advanced platforms represent an escalating threat requiring urgent military and technological responses.
Subscribe to read
* Sign In * Subscribe
Open side navigation menuOpen search bar
SubscribeSign In
Popular Searches
* What is the latest news on the UK economy? * Western support for Ukraine * How will AI be regulated? * UK inflation vs the world * How will the UK economy fare in 2026?
* Home * World Sections
+ World Home + Middle East war + Global Economy + UK + US + China + Africa + Asia Pacific + Emerging Markets + Europe + War in Ukraine + Americas + Middle East & North Africa Most Read
+ We are setting up a generation to fail at school + Why I, a non-billionaire, am not leaving the UK + Trump says united Ireland ‘inevitable’ and ‘a very cool thing’ + Why Britain’s super-rich are looking for the exit + Musk’s secretive backer builds $40bn SpaceX stake * US Sections
+ US Home + US Economy + US Companies + US Politics & Policy Most Read
+ Musk’s secretive backer builds $40bn SpaceX stake + Larry Ellison cancels $7.5bn Oracle share sale + How both sides lost after 9/11 + JPMorgan cut off Situational Awareness lending after AI losses + US limits air defence time slots for tankers sailing through Hormuz * Companies Sections
+ Companies Home + Energy + Financials + Health + Industrials + Media + Professional Services + Retail & Consumer + Tech Sector + Telecoms + Transport Most Read
+ Rivals Altman and Musk rally behind Dario Amodei’s call for an AI slowdown + Why the AI race has its creators fearing human extinction + Musk’s secretive backer builds $40bn SpaceX stake + Larry Ellison cancels $7.5bn Oracle share sale + Chinese crypto investor was seller of £190mn London mansion * Tech Sections
+ Tech Home + Artificial intelligence + Semiconductors + Cyber Security + Social Media Most Read
+ Rivals Altman and Musk rally behind Dario Amodei’s call for an AI slowdown + Why the AI race has its creators fearing human extinction + Musk’s secretive backer builds $40bn SpaceX stake + Larry Ellison cancels $7.5bn Oracle share sale + Joseph Stiglitz on how to build a better AI economy * Markets Sections
+ Markets Home + Alphaville + Markets Data + Private markets + Equities + Bonds + Currencies + Commodities + Crypto + Monetary Policy Radar + Wealth Management + Moral Money + ETF Hub + Asset management Most Read
+ Chinese crypto investor was seller of £190mn London mansion + Saudi Arabia shuts East-West pipeline that bypasses Hormuz after attacks + Boom-era PE funds will fall short on promises, executives warn + India’s central bank tells Tata Sons to take conglomerate public + JPMorgan cut off Situational Awareness lending after AI losses * Climate * Opinion Sections
+ Opinion Home + Columnists + The FT View + The Big Read + Lex + Obituaries + Letters Most Read
+ We are setting up a generation to fail at school + Why I, a non-billionaire, am not leaving the UK + The perils of headphones in the office + As Europe’s memory fades, radicalism is returning + How both sides lost after 9/11 * Lex * Work & Careers Sections
+ Work & Careers Home + Business School Rankings + Business Education + Europe's Start-Up Hubs + Entrepreneurship + Recruitment + Business Books + Business Travel + Working It Most Read
+ The perils of headphones in the office + Benchmarking and bonuses: why Singapore pays its politicians like bankers + How to find a leader in 2026 + Florian de Chezelles: ‘We’re only as good as the last salad we’ve made’ + An ode to North America’s longest saltwater pool * Life & Arts Sections
+ Life & Arts Home + Arts + Books + Food & Drink + FT Magazine + House & Home + Style + Puzzles + Travel + FT Globetrotter Most Read
+ The perils of headphones in the office + A new world map fixes Africa’s 16th-century distortion + How both sides lost after 9/11 + Joseph Stiglitz on how to build a better AI economy + The Ritz-Carlton purge, a $1.3bn demand and nine years trapped in Saudi Arabia * How To Spend It
MenuSearch
* Home * World * US * Companies * Tech * Markets * Climate * Opinion * Lex * Work & Careers * Life & Arts * How To Spend It
Financial Times
SubscribeSign In
Popular Searches
* What is the latest news on the UK economy? * Western support for Ukraine * How will AI be regulated? * UK inflation vs the world * How will the UK economy fare in 2026?
How Russia’s new drones are changing the air war
Subscribe to unlock this article
Save over 40% on Standard Digital
was
$540
now
$299
for your first year.
Save now on essential digital access to trusted FT journalism on any device. Savings based on annualised monthly price.
Subscribe for $299
* Global news & analysis * Expert opinion * FT App on Android & iOS * FT Edit app * First FT: the day’s biggest stories * 20+ curated newsletters * Follow topics and set up personalized alerts * FT Videos & Podcasts * 10 monthly gift articles to share
Explore more offers.
Trial
$1
for 4 weeks
Then
$75
per month. Complete digital access with exclusive insights and industry deep dives on any device. Cancel anytime during your trial.
Select
* Global news & analysis * Expert opinion * FT App on Android & iOS * FT Edit: Access on iOS and web * FirstFT: the day's biggest stories * 20+ curated newsletters * Follow topics & set alerts with myFT * FT Videos & Podcasts * 20 monthly gift articles to share * Lex: FT's flagship investment column * 15+ Premium newsletters by leading experts * FT Digital Edition: our digitised print edition
Premium Digital
Complete coverage
$75
per month
Complete digital access with exclusive insights and industry deep dives on any device.
Select
* Global news & analysis * Expert opinion * FT App on Android & iOS * FT Edit: Access on iOS and web * FirstFT: the day's biggest stories * 20+ curated newsletters * Follow topics & set alerts with myFT * FT Videos & Podcasts * 20 monthly gift articles to share * Lex: FT's flagship investment column * 15+ Premium newsletters by leading experts * FT Digital Edition: our digitised print edition
Print
Save over 65%
was
$409
now
$129
for your first year
Save now on our curated print edition delivered Monday - Saturday\* plus our digitised print replica. Savings based on annual price.
Select
* Weekday Print Edition * FT Weekend * FT Digital Edition: our digitised print edition * Global news & analysis * Expert opinion * Special features * Exclusive FT analysis
Check whether you already have access via your university
or organisation.
Terms & Conditions apply
\*Hand delivery availability confirmed when you enter your address.
Explore our full range of subscriptions.
For individuals
Discover all the plans currently available in your country
DigitalPrintPrint + Digital
For multiple readers
Digital access for organisations. Includes exclusive features and content.
FT Professional
!Over one million readers pay to read the Financial TimesFind out why
Useful links
Support
Help CentreContact UsAbout UsAccessibilityCareersSuppliers
Share News Tips SecurelyIndividual SubscriptionsProfessional SubscriptionsRepublishingExecutive Job SearchAdvertise with the FTFollow the FT on XFT ChannelsFT Schools
Tools
PortfolioFT AppFT Digital EditionFT EditAlerts HubBusiness School RankingsSubscription ManagerNews feedNewslettersCurrency Converter