Discussion on MWI Podcast: Innovation Determines Victory - Use of Drones and Adaptability During the Ukraine Conflict
The MWI Podcast, a popular podcast focused on military and security issues, is now available on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, and your favorite podcast apps. This latest episode, hosted by John Amble, delves into the innovation efforts of Ukrainian and Russian forces during their ongoing conflict.
The discussion centres around the notable differences in innovation strategies between the two nations, particularly in their use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Samuel Bendett, a member of CNA's Russia Studies Program and an adviser at CNA's Strategy, Policy, Plans, and Programs Center, offers his insightful research on Russian defense and technology. Bendett's expertise in unmanned and autonomous military systems adds depth to the conversation.
Russia has developed a more centralized, large-scale, and methodical drone program. Their focus is on mass production and refinement of core drone types such as the Geran/Shahed drones, incorporating advanced AI and electronics to create a resilient and scalable drone force. In contrast, Ukraine has deployed a variety of small, often incompatible drone systems developed by numerous small teams, creating a fragmented innovation landscape that struggles with scaling and complex systems integration.
Russia conducts massive drone and missile strikes, with July 2025 seeing a new monthly high of approximately 6,200 one-way attack UAV strikes against Ukraine. Despite some recent reduction in strike scale, Russia maintains a high daily drone production capacity and demonstrates significant stockpiling and deployment capabilities.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has executed impressive and sophisticated covert drone strikes deep inside Russian territory. An early June 2025 operation, for instance, used drones smuggled within civilian shipping containers to damage key Russian military aircraft, demonstrating high tactical innovation and operational creativity despite Ukraine's more fragmented drone development ecosystem.
The episode also investigates the nuances not typically reflected in media coverage of the war, providing a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing conflict.
Listeners can access the MWI Podcast episode on various platforms, including the podcast's official website, where it can be listened to below. The episode can also be shared on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or emailed to others. For those who prefer a printed format, the transcript is available for download.
This podcast episode offers a valuable exploration of the innovation efforts of Ukrainian and Russian forces, providing insights into their distinct strategies and tactics in the ongoing war.
The discussion on The MWI Podcast emphasizes the unique differences in drone strategies between Ukrainian and Russian forces, with Russia focusing on large-scale, methodical drone programs and mass production of advanced drones, while Ukraine deploys a fragmented innovation landscape with smaller, often incompatible drone systems. The episode also highlights unconventional tactics used by both sides, such as Ukraine's covert drone strikes deep inside Russian territory. The podcast episode also delves into the role of technology and defense in the ongoing war, as exemplified by Russia's high capacity for daily drone production and Ukraine's successful use of drones smuggled within civilian shipping containers.
