Russia-Ukraine War: Conflict evolution and military adaptations

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began with the 2014 annexation of Crimea and escalated into a full-scale invasion in February 2022, continues to reshape European security and global markets. The war has evolved into a prolonged struggle involving ground combat, missile and drone strikes, cyber operations, and significant international military assistance.

Recent tactical shifts show a move away from armored breakthroughs toward continuous pressure from small assault groups. Unmanned systems have become central to the battlefield, with first-person view (FPV) drones accounting for over 90 percent of unmanned systems used. The emergence of fiber-optic-controlled drones and machine-vision algorithms has challenged traditional electronic warfare countermeasures.

In response, Ukrainian forces have deployed dense electronic warfare and signals intelligence maneuver groups to block enemy command and navigation channels. These developments have prompted Baltic states to consider urgent military adaptations, including the mass production of FPV drones and the implementation of layered air defense systems.