Military Advancements in Urban Combat by Russia
In a 2020 episode of the Urban Warfare Project Podcast, John Spencer is joined by Samuel Bendett, an analyst with the Center for Naval Analyses and an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. Bendett specializes in Russian unmanned military systems and artificial intelligence.
Bendett discusses his work tracking Russian technological advancements, highlighting the emphasis Russia places on drones and AI technologies in its military operations, particularly in urban and tactical environments. He stresses the importance of autonomous systems, AI, and drones in modern Russian combat doctrine.
While the West may never fully replicate the commercial success of Chinese drone companies like DJI, Bendett suggests that Western militaries must innovate creatively by harnessing diverse tactical drone development efforts. The key, he argues, is adapting flexible, decentralized drone use.
Bendett also emphasizes the harsh electronic warfare environment in Ukraine and the critical role of operational experience in shaping drone and urban combat tactics. He notes that actual combat in Ukraine forces militaries to develop real capabilities.
The podcast episode also touches on the complexities of urban combat, as Russian forces face significant challenges in dense urban environments like Hostomel Airport and Kyiv. Tactical adaptation and the role of individual commanders and soldiers become decisive in such situations.
Bendett's insights focus on the transformative impact of drones and AI for Russian urban and tactical combat, the necessity of operational experience in conflict zones such as Ukraine for refining these technologies, and the strategic setbacks Russia faced due to urban combat complexities.
Listeners can tune in to the full episode of the conversation below or find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, or your favorite podcast app. It's recommended to subscribe to the Urban Warfare Project Podcast and leave a review or rating if you are enjoying it.
In the podcast, Bendett also describes various unmanned aerial and ground vehicles Russia is experimenting with for urban combat. His work involves research on Russian defense and technology developments, Russian military capabilities, and Russian decision-making during crises.
- Samuel Bendett, an analyst with the Center for Naval Analyses and an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, discussed the transformative impact of drones and AI for Russian urban and tactical combat in a 2020 episode of the Urban Warfare Project Podcast.
- Bendett highlighted the emphasis Russia places on drones and AI technologies in its military operations, particularly in urban and tactical environments, and emphasized the importance of autonomous systems, AI, and drones in modern Russian combat doctrine.
- The necessity of operational experience in conflict zones such as Ukraine for refining these technologies was also stressed by Bendett, as he noted that actual combat in Ukraine forces militaries to develop real capabilities.
