Russian Tanks Obsolete: Drones Dominate Ukraine Battlefield

The End of Tank Dominance

Military experts confirm Russian tanks have become ineffective on modern battlefields. First-person view (FPV) drones can now destroy armored vehicles from 15 kilometers away, with tanks burning "like church candles" according to Ukrainian analyst Ivan Stupak.

Conflicting Inventory Reports

Ukrainian intelligence claims Russia exhausted combat-ready tanks by May 2025, with Soviet-era reserves depleted. However, Novaya Gazeta sources report Russia refurbished 6,000 T-72 units with 4,000 more repairable. Israeli expert David Sharp counters that Russia lost over 4,000 tanks since 2022, leaving only "outdated scrap."

Drone Warfare Revolution

All experts agree drones made tanks obsolete. Stupak notes: "No reliable anti-drone defense exists yet." Western tank production continues despite Ukraine conflict lessons. Russia now deploys motorcycle assault groups instead of vulnerable armored transports.

Strategic Implications

Regardless of tank numbers, their battlefield irrelevance questions Russia's offensive capabilities. The Institute for War Studies predicts Russia may exhaust remaining armored reserves by late 2025. Meanwhile, drone production surges globally, with Germany recently ordering 6,000 combat drones for Ukraine.