Russian tanks suffered catastrophic losses to portable anti‑tank weapons and drones.
By Hezy Laing
The Russia‑Ukraine war is a prime example of modern warfare, showcasing the integration of drones, precision missiles, cyber operations, electronic warfare, and real‑time intelligence.
The conflict demonstrates how twenty‑first century wars blend conventional battles with advanced technology and hybrid strategies.
It therefore provides many lessons that the IDF must absorb.
Studying Ukraine’s strategies especially helps Israel prepare for asymmetric threats, proxy conflicts, and safeguarding national survival in volatile regional conditions.
The IDF has studied the Russia‑Ukraine war closely and identified several important lessons:
Drones and UAVs dominate the battlefield
The Ukraine war showed how small drones can destroy tanks, guide artillery, and provide real‑time intelligence. The IDF has accelerated investment in UAV swarms, counter‑drone systems, and AI‑driven reconnaissance.
Logistics and supply chains are critical
Russia’s failures in resupplying troops highlighted how logistics can decide battles. The IDF is reinforcing its ability to sustain forces under fire, ensuring fuel, ammunition, and medical supplies reach units even in contested zones.
Communications resilience
Ukraine’s use of encrypted apps and Starlink satellites showed the importance of secure, redundant communications. The IDF is working on hardened networks and multi‑layered communication systems to withstand cyberattacks and electronic warfare.
Heavy armor is vulnerable without protection
Russian tanks suffered catastrophic losses to portable anti‑tank weapons and drones. The IDF is upgrading active protection systems like Trophy on Merkava tanks and considering lighter, more mobile platforms.
Blend of old and new tactics
The war proved that traditional artillery, trenches, and infantry maneuvers remain relevant alongside high‑tech systems. The IDF emphasizes combining advanced technologies (AI, robotics, precision munitions) with classic battlefield skills to avoid over‑reliance on one domain.
The IDF’s analysis of the Russia‑Ukraine war underscores that modern conflicts are hybrid, requiring both cutting‑edge technology and traditional military fundamentals.
Drones, logistics, communications, armor protection, and tactical integration are now central to Israel’s doctrine, shaping how the IDF prepares for future wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond.
