Zaluzhnyi: Ukraine war now driven by drones

Ex-commander says Ukraine war run by machines: “The number of people is minimal”

Ukraine’s former commander-in-chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi says the war with Russia has entered a new phase dominated by drones and automated systems, transforming large sections of the battlefield into what he calls a “robot-infested killing field.”

Speaking at Chatham House in London on February 23, Zaluzhnyi said the conflict is no longer defined by traditional trench warfare, tank battles or aerial dogfights. Instead, he described Ukraine as a “laboratory of the future,” where modern warfare is being reshaped by machines, surveillance networks and long-range strike systems.

According to Zaluzhnyi, the space between Ukrainian and Russian forces has expanded into a vast “kill zone” where movement is increasingly dangerous. He said the lethal area now stretches at least 25 kilometres deep, while logistics corridors up to 50 kilometres from the front line are vulnerable to drone and missile attacks.

“The ability to destroy logistics is constantly growing. The idea of a secure rear has become outdated,” he said. Using equipment or personnel in those areas, he warned, has “turned into real suicide.”

Earlier Ukrainian military estimates suggested the active front line was about 10 kilometres deep in late 2025. There were also proposals for a demilitarised buffer zone of up to 15 kilometres, potentially expanding to 40 kilometres, reflecting how rapidly the battlefield has evolved.

Despite the surge in military technology, Zaluzhnyi stressed that manpower remains Ukraine’s most limited resource. “The number of people capable of performing tasks in the combat zone is minimal, continues to decrease and tends to be replaced by robots,” he said. He added that pulling troops back from the most dangerous areas has become an operational necessity.

The Institute for the Study of War reported that Russian forces advanced faster in 2025 than in 2024, capturing about 0.8 percent of Ukrainian territory, though at significant casualty cost. Analysts say Moscow continues to focus on eastern Ukraine, particularly the Donbas and Kharkiv region, while carrying out long-range strikes.

Defence expert Andrii Zahorodniuk said control over the expanding “kill zone” is now central to the conflict, describing it as a battle over who can dominate more enemy territory through technology and firepower.

Original source: https://www.ziare.com/

Key Takeaways

• Valeriy Zaluzhnyi says drones and robots now dominate the Ukraine war.

• The battlefield “kill zone” stretches up to 25 km deep, with logistics exposed up to 50 km.

• Russian forces advanced 0.8% of Ukrainian territory in 2025, according to ISW.

Ex-commander says Ukraine war run by machines: "The number of people is minimal"