Summary and What You Need to Know: Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev boasted that Russia is now the global leader in drone warfare, claiming the country has developed unmatched expertise in unmanned aerial systems.

-Medvedev emphasized the transformative role drones have played in modern conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, where both sides have used them extensively against tanks, positions, and even warships.

-Despite his claims, Russia has relied on Iranian drones, and Ukraine has successfully targeted Russian infrastructure.

-Medvedev acknowledged the evolving nature of drone warfare but overlooked key Ukrainian advancements, leaving his assertion of Russia’s dominance open to debate.

Medvedev Touts Russian Drone Capabilities

Russia is the drone warfare "top dog," at least according to the sometimes-sober Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev. He told Tass on Friday that Russian forces are now drone experts "second to none."

The deputy chairman and former Russian president also explained that "no one could have imagined" the role unmanned aerial systems would play on the modern battlefield. Drones have marked the war in Ukraine. Both sides have used unmanned aerial vehicles to great success against tanks, forward positions, and in the case of Kyiv's forces, warships.

Low-cost drones and loitering munitions have disrupted traditional tactics. 

However, Medvedev suggested Russia is now leading in drone development and understands drone tactics better than its adversary.

"It is obvious that we […] have gotten an enormous boost in this area. When it comes to drones, Russia is the top dog. This is an undeniable fact, simply due to recent events. These skills will serve us well," Medvedev explained without elaboration.

Medvedev’s remarks overlooked that the Kremlin has had to turn to Tehran for unmanned aerial systems. He also didn't note that Ukraine has managed to strike Russian airbases hundreds of miles from the frontlines and has carried out strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. 

Just this week Kyiv carried out one of the largest-ever drone attacks on Russia, striking 16 regions in a single day.

The Future of Drone Warfare

The Russian official acknowledged that the role of drones on the battlefield is still evolving.

"War brings about a lot of changes, and things that previously went unnoticed now dominate, altering the very nature of war. It was impossible to predict, despite the fact that, indeed, drones have been around for a while," Medvedev noted.

The politician went on to praise past Russian military platforms, including "the legendary Katyusha rocket systems and the T-34 tank," which each "appeared in the middle of World War II." Medvedev added, "In other words, the nature of war, the tactics and sometimes even strategy of warfare changed under the influence of technical progress."

The Russian security official also told Tass that "if the hostilities come to a halt," the Russian military could be well-positioned to "profit from this expertise.”

"But [the use of drones] is not going anywhere," he concluded.

That latter statement might have been the most truthful thing he said in the interview. Military analysts broadly acknowledge that drones have changed modern warfare, putting in question the future capabilities of tanks and large warships. But whether Russia is the top dog will certainly be disputed.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu 

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected]. 

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