How Ukraine and Russia Fight in 2026 - Battlefield Dynamics with Dmytro Putiata & Rob Lee | Perun

The Gist

In 2026, the Ukraine war is characterized by heavily entrenched, slow-paced positional fighting dominated by drones, heavy mining, and infantry operating in sparse small groups from basements and treelines. Artillery remains critical for suppression and destruction, but its survival requires careful positioning and long-range capabilities to counter enemy reconnaissance.

Quick Overview

Warfare in Ukraine in 2026 is defined by attrition, where traditional breakthroughs are nearly impossible due to drone saturation, extensive mining, and porous yet resilient frontlines. Analyst Rob Lee and military expert Dmytro Putiata discuss how both sides have adapted their tactics, heavily relying on unmanned aerial systems for observation and strikes while managing severe constraints in manpower, logistics, and artillery ammunition.

Key Points: Territorial changes in 2026 are exceptionally slow, characterized by grinding attrition rather than large mechanized breakthroughs. Frontlines are highly porous and decentralized, with Ukrainian and Russian infantry and drone positions frequently intermingled in urban areas and treelines. Infantry survival relies on operating in small groups from concealed basements and reinforced treelines, functioning primarily as sensor networks rather than mass assault forces. Russia has scaled up its tactical UAV integration through centralized commands like Rubikon, successfully challenging Ukrainian drone dominance in many sectors. Unmanned ground vehicles play a crucial role in resupplying frontline positions and executing casualty evacuations where traditional vehicles cannot survive. Artillery survivability depends on range, positioning, and the ability to outrange enemy reconnaissance, as towed and self-propelled guns face severe attrition from FPV drones. NATO and Western military stocks face severe sustainability challenges, as the consumption rate of complex artillery systems and ammunition far outpaces production capacity.

Context: Following years of intense conventional conflict, the war in Ukraine has evolved into a high-tech attrition struggle. Western analysts and Ukrainian military personnel continuously evaluate battlefield data, tactics, and technological adaptations to understand how modern high-intensity conflict operates under drone saturation and electronic warfare.