Russia has changed its battlefield tactics in Ukraine, shifting greater emphasis from artillery and armored vehicles to FPV drones, Forbes reports.

According to the publication, the widespread use of FPV drones allows Russian forces to maintain substantial firepower while reducing their dependence on artillery and armored vehicles, which remain vulnerable on the battlefield. Instead of relying on heavy artillery barrages to suppress Ukrainian positions before an assault, Russian drone teams can search for individual targets and strike positions, equipment and personnel with greater precision.

Forbes notes that large numbers of Russian drones can suppress Ukrainian troops and force them to remain under cover. This gives Russian assault groups more room to maneuver during attacks.

Drone units also have several advantages over conventional artillery and armored systems. Their positions require far less space and can be dispersed or concealed several kilometers behind the front line. Operators can also launch large numbers of relatively inexpensive drones without exposing major weapons systems during every strike.

Earlier on Thursday, September 3, Vladimir Putin said during a plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum that Russian forces were advancing every day across all sectors of the combat zone. He also said the pace of the advance had increased recently.