Russian forces are deploying drones in Ukraine as part of a carefully designed two-pronged strategy, according to Stavros Atlamazoglou, a columnist for The National Interest.

He explained that smaller drones are primarily used for precision strikes against Ukrainian troops and fortified positions. These operations, he noted, are intended to weaken manpower, disrupt supply lines, lower morale, and complicate offensive maneuvers.

Larger unmanned aerial vehicles, by contrast, are reserved for wide-scale strikes on strategic targets, including military infrastructure in Ukrainian cities. Atlamazoglou wrote that such operations often combine loitering munitions with cruise and ballistic missiles, maximizing the likelihood of destroying key objectives through simultaneous attacks.

The analyst also pointed out that Ukrainian commanders frequently lack the time needed to respond effectively to these rapid strikes, which increases the impact of Russian drone operations.