Russian Uncrewed Systems in Ukraine

Speaker: Mr. Samuel Bendett (Center for Naval Analyses)

Date: 6 July 2023

Speaker Session Summary

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is having a significant impact on the war in Ukraine, changing how Russia and Ukraine are actively fighting and carrying out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Mr. Bendett summarized his latest Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) report, the third CNA report in a series examining Russia’s and Ukraine’s use of UAVs. He commented that the reports focus on the use of UAVs because they are the most prevalent unmanned vehicles being used in the war. Unmanned ground and water vehicles are being used, although less frequently. This is not the first time Russia has used UAVs. During the Syrian Civil War, Russia used UAVs in support of Assad’s authoritarian regime. However, the Syrian Civil War and the war in Ukraine are very different. Ukraine’s Armed Forces have significantly more capabilities and technologies than the Syrian rebels.

In Syria, Russia was able to fly its UAVs in unsecured airspace. Ukraine, however, has been able to secure its airspace and destroy Russian UAVs at a rate that is altering how Russia acquires and deploys UAVs. Many of the Russian UAVs never return from missions, making the quick acquisition of new UAVs essential. The large number of destroyed Russian UAVs is also forcing Russia to increasingly rely on its commercial sector and allies—such as Iran—for new UAV parts and assembly. Current sanctions from western states are making it even more difficult for Russia to get the necessary UAV parts. The highly tactical nature of the war in Ukraine is increasing the importance of UAVs for identifying enemy troop movement and positions. Their salience has increased the speed that Russia has built new and more capable UAV models. Mr. Bendett described several of these models, while acknowledging that new models have even been deployed since the report was published in March. He also raised several questions about the future use of UAVs, including the use of multiple UAVs in a swarm and the potential future impacts of integrating artificial intelligence in UAVs. 

To read CNA’s report, please visit https://www.cna.org/reports/2023/05/russias-use-of-drones-in-ukraine.

Speaker Session Recording

Briefing Materials

Report: Russia’s Use of Uncrewed Systems in Ukraine

Biography: Samuel Bendett’s research focuses on Russian defense and technology developments; uncrewed, robotic and autonomous military systems; artificial intelligence; and Russian military capabilities. Bendett’s analyses, views and commentary on Russia’s military robotics, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence capabilities have appeared in numerous global publications and news outlets. Prior to joining CNA, Bendett worked at the National Defense University on emerging and disruptive technologies to aid the Department of Defense (DOD) in responding to domestic and international crisis situations. His previous experience includes working for the U.S. Congress, the private sector and nonprofit organizations on foreign policy, international conflict resolution, and defense and security issues. Bendett is also an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, an honorary “mad scientist” with the Mad Scientist Initiative of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, and a Russian military autonomy and artificial intelligence subject matter expert for the DOD’s Defense Systems Information Analysis Center. Bendett received a Master of Arts in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University as well as a Bachelor of Arts in politics and English from Brandeis University. He has native fluency in Russian.