Russia declares to disable “magic eye” in Ukraine’s sky
Russia claims to have disabled almost all of Ukraine's reconnaissance UAVs, leaving Kiev "completely blind" in the sky.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•24/08/2025
The gradual loss of UAV “eyes” puts the Ukrainian Army in a difficult position. Artillery, which relies heavily on reconnaissance data from UAVs to adjust firing coordinates, will lose accuracy. The ability to detect and warn of Russian troop movements early is also limited. As the war drags on into its fourth year, Russia has made a striking announcement: its forces have virtually neutralized all of Ukraine's aerial reconnaissance operations, turning the UAV "eyes" that Kiev had hoped for into nearly useless tools along the front.
Since the conflict broke out in February 2022, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have played a central role in the military strategies of both Russia and Ukraine. With their low cost, maneuverability and persistent surveillance capabilities, UAVs are seen as a “battlefield satellite replacement” for Kiev. In particular, UAVs have become the “eyes” in the sky, helping the Ukrainian Army direct precise artillery fire, monitor every move of the enemy and find secret supply routes. Thanks to this valuable source of data, many of Kiev’s previous counter-offensive campaigns were carried out with high precision and surprising effectiveness. According to the TASS news agency, a Russian security source revealed that the country's armed forces have almost completely eliminated Ukraine's air reconnaissance activities. Notably, this information was also acknowledged by Kiev itself, including confirmation from an officer of the 14th Independent UAV Regiment. In addition, the leaker said that almost all of the reconnaissance UAVs that Ukraine deployed along the front line were shot down one by one. Moreover, even when changing their flight altitude to escape the air defense net, they still could not survive. Accordingly, he affirmed: "The Russian military has now mastered the art of shooting down UAVs at any altitude."
Another factor that has put Ukraine in trouble, according to Russian security officials, is the presence of the Rubicon Center for Advanced UAV Technologies, which is said to have developed a series of specialized electronic warfare and air defense measures to hunt down and suppress UAVs. “Not only Rubicon, but also divisional anti-UAV units are working extremely effectively. As a result, it is almost impossible for the enemy to send UAVs through our defense lines,” the TASS source said. According to analysts, Russia has combined multiple layers of defense: from radar surveillance, electronic warfare jamming, to short-range anti-aircraft missiles and even experimental lasers. This coordination significantly reduces the survivability of Ukrainian UAVs, regardless of whether they fly low or high.
With UAVs constantly being disabled, Ukrainian intelligence is increasingly dependent on data from the West, especially the US and NATO. Sources of support include satellite imagery, strategic UAVs operating outside Ukraine, and electronic reconnaissance systems. A Russian security official stressed that if Washington stops providing information, the Kiev military will “have nothing.” With UAVs constantly being disabled, Ukrainian intelligence is increasingly dependent on data from the West, especially the US and NATO. Sources of support include satellite imagery, strategic UAVs operating outside Ukraine, and electronic reconnaissance systems. A Russian security official stressed that if Washington stops providing information, the Kiev military will “have nothing.” Analysts say Moscow’s statement is not just a war report, but also a political message to Kiev and NATO. Russia wants to show off its superior anti-UAV capabilities, capable of neutralizing one of the key weapons that Ukraine expects, while creating psychological pressure to make enemy soldiers lose faith in the “divine eye” in the sky.
While Kiev struggles to find new technological solutions such as stealth UAVs or AI to avoid electronic warfare, Russia has shown its determination to maintain its advantage. If it maintains its ability to control the low-altitude skies, Moscow could leave Ukraine “blind” on the battlefield. The UAV war between reconnaissance and destruction could become a key factor in shaping the upcoming conflict.
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