The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Archive: Inside Ukraine’s Drone Campaign Against Russia
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Aug 24, 2025 Marcel Plichta, a Fellow at the Centre for Global Law and Governance, and former U.S. Department of Defense analyst, discusses Ukraine's innovative drone campaign against Russia. He highlights Ukraine's strategic target choices, including deep strikes into Russian territory, and the psychological impact on Russian military morale. The conversation also explores the evolution of drone technology and its implications for global warfare, particularly contrasting Ukraine's decentralized production model with Russia's centralized approach.
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Drones As Practical Long-Range Strike
- Drones were proposed as an indigenous long-range strike because they are cheap, easy to mass-produce, and leverage Ukraine's existing industry.
- Marcel Plichta argued drones were more politically feasible for partners to supply than long-range missiles.
Strategic Effects Beyond Kills
- A one-way drone campaign complicates Russian operations by hitting soft targets and forcing air-defense relocations.
- Plichta predicted psychological effects and diversion of Russian air defenses away from the front.
From Skepticism To Validation
- Early reactions labeled the proposal as too escalatory, especially if Western partners assisted.
- The idea gained traction after Russia used Shaheds, which demonstrated practicality at scale.