https://mickryan.substack.com/p/ukraine-dispatch-5-ukraines-new-directorate
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/contributors/articles/mick-ryan
A key observation is that the frontline is now at a point of 'drone saturation.' Now, within 15km of the front line, vehicle movement is difficult to impossible. Infantry soldiers must march to their positions for 10-15km. When armoured vehicles and artillery are deployed, these can be subject to up to 40 attacks per platform per day.
Ukraine has invested in decoys and deception activities, and every HQ is now buried deep underground. The re-birth of modern deception is an important lesson from Ukraine, albeit an old one re-learned.
https://www.newamerica.org/future-security/reports/the-future-of-deception-in-war/
The question however is whether this saturated environment, which has built up over three and half years, is possible elsewhere? In non-contiguous theatres like the Pacific, it might be difficult to achieve this level of saturation, at least in a short period of time. This offers opportunities, but also may see ISR gaps for an adversary to exploit.
Despite this saturated drone environment, infantry is more important than ever to seize and hold ground. An indication of this is that while every Ukrainian brigade has 1-2 drone battalions, they all retain 3-5 infantry battalions as well. Drones are not replacing soldiers but extending and complementing their capabilities.
Really good stuff at the links and rest of tweet thread