Changing approach and focusing on drones: the most important information from Zaluzhny's

Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valery Zaluzhny, contributed an article to foreign media outlet CNN, expressing his vision regarding significant changes in the approach to conducting military operations in Ukraine and the role of drones in modern warfare.

Changing approach during war

Zaluzhny commenced his article by highlighting that nearly 80 years have elapsed since the final battles of World War II, which formed the foundation of strategic warfare visions at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. Despite rapid advancements in weaponry and military equipment, the strategy for victory remains rooted in the destruction of the enemy and the occupation or liberation of territory.

He stated, "The forms and methods by which this was achieved depended directly on the level of development of the weapons and military equipment used. Of course, knowledge of the basics of strategy, operational art, and tactics should accompany the development of the military career of specialists and serve to solve two main tasks".

The first task, Zaluzhny noted, involves preparing military commanders directly for future wars with the challenge of predicting the war situation at the outset of hostilities. This task, he stressed, is extremely challenging but crucial for withstanding enemy strikes and mounting a robust defense.

The second task, according to Zaluzhny, is the most important: to adapt to the evolving demands of warfare, which are influenced by technical progress, geopolitical dynamics, economic factors, and other variables.

Bet on drones

Zaluzhny underscored that the primary impetus for changing strategies, forms, and methods of troop utilization stems from the development of weapons and military equipment, particularly unmanned systems. He highlighted that the extensive use of unmanned systems offers a broad spectrum of capabilities that continues to expand, making them indispensable in modern warfare scenarios.

He delineated several factors influencing the decision to explore new forms of defense force utilization, including the unstable political situation surrounding Ukraine, potential conflicts instigated by Russia, and challenges in sustaining military support and ammunition supplies.

Priorities for 2024

Looking ahead to 2024, Zaluzhny outlined key priorities for Ukraine, including:

• Establishing a system for supplying the Defense Forces with cutting-edge technological assets.
• Introducing a new philosophy for preparing and conducting warfare, tailored to existing limitations.
• Rapidly acquiring new combat capabilities to adapt to evolving threats and challenges.

Zaluzhny emphasized that in contemporary conditions, the Armed Forces possess the means not only to defeat the enemy but also to safeguard the nation's sovereignty. He urged the maximization of opportunities presented by modern warfare conditions to accumulate the latest combat potential, deter aggression, and safeguard Ukraine's future.