War on the Rocks How Ukraine is Adapting, Enduring, and Striking Back
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Jul 9, 2025 
Mike Kofman, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, dives deep into the evolving landscape of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. He discusses innovative Ukrainian tactics to counter Russian advancements, particularly with drones, and the challenges posed by the changing seasons. Kofman emphasizes the critical role of U.S. military support, especially in air defense, and examines Russia's strategic mindset during political shifts. This engaging conversation reveals the complexities of modern warfare and the resilience of Ukrainian forces.
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Ukraine's Tactical Defense Strategy
- Ukraine uses a defense triangle of mines, drone coverage, and artillery to hold territory with fewer troops.
- Ukraine counters motorcycle tactics with more first-person view drones and customized barriers.
Fiber Optic Drones Threaten Rear Lines
- Fiber optic cable drones operating 20-25 km behind the front pose a major threat to logistics.
- They enable attacks on any vehicle seen, forcing deeper entrenchment and changing rear operations.
Volunteer Skepticism of Strike Drones
- Jakub Jajcay, a Slovak volunteer, shared experience fighting with drones in Ukraine.
- He appreciates reconnaissance drones but finds strike drones less effective than commonly believed.