Ukraine’s War of Endurance: Drones, Economics, and the Fight to Break Moscow

As its fifth year begins, Ukraine’s war with Russia has shifted from rapid maneuver to a protracted, attritional conflict defined by drones, precision strikes, and defense-in-depth. Ukraine seeks to minimize territorial losses, raise Russian casualties, and pressure Moscow economically with energy strikes and advanced Western-supplied tech, hoping sustained Western backing forces Russia to negotiate. Russia relies on large reserves and mobilization but faces manpower losses, economic strain, and limited breakthroughs. The front line operates as a broad, drone-enabled “kill zone” where gains are incremental and both sides contend for initiative through technology, logistics, and steady attrition. Looking to 2026, Kyiv must stabilize the frontline, scale affordable drone and missile capabilities, and maintain Western support, while Moscow must endure longer, with time increasingly against it—a true war of endurance rather than quick breakthroughs.