The Intelligence from The Economist cover image

The Intelligence from The Economist

Game of drones: can Ukraine pull ahead?

Aug 30, 2023
Oli Carroll, The Economist's correspondent on the ground in Ukraine, and Mark Johnson, an international affairs writer, delve into the evolving drone warfare landscape in Ukraine, focusing on innovations like the Morok drone and their implications against Russia. They also discuss fresh regulations targeting Caribbean tax havens, examining legal complexities intertwined with illicit practices. Additionally, the podcast touches on Spain's regional language policy reforms and their broader political ramifications, adding layers to the narrative of national identity.
25:20

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Ukraine's advanced drones, such as the Moruk, have successfully penetrated Russian defenses, but challenges in scaling up production remain due to limited resources, bureaucracy, corruption, and lack of government support.
  • Efforts to crack down on tax havens like the British Virgin Islands (BVI) have led to tighter regulations, including the requirement for tax haven countries to disclose the names of company owners, but challenges remain in overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and diversifying industries in the BVI.

Deep dives

Ukraine's Drone Warfare: A Growing Threat to Russia

Drones developed by Ukraine are becoming a serious threat to Russia. Over the past few months, Ukraine has been building up its drone capabilities, and they have seen successful results. One of the most promising drones is called the Moruk, which has a heavy payload, high speed, and the ability to strike several hundred kilometers away. These drones have managed to penetrate Russian electronic warfare and air defense systems. However, Ukraine still faces challenges in scaling up their production due to limited resources, bureaucracy, corruption, and lack of government support.

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