The drone war in Ukraine is a warning the Indo-Pacific cannot ignore

Published May 26, 2026 10:00am ET



Ukraine’s recent drone strikes against Russian oil infrastructure and military facilities are demonstrating a new model of warfare that military planners in the Indo-Pacific cannot afford to ignore.

Rather than settling into a static war of attrition, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has evolved into a laboratory for the future of warfare, one increasingly defined not simply by advanced weapons systems but by adaptability, industrial capacity, and mass unmanned strike operations.

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.