Ukrainian drones defeat US forces in war game
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Ukrainian drone operators defeated a 3,500-strong US armored brigade in Germany's Combined Resolve exercise.
The result exposes US military unpreparedness for drone-era warfare, prompting Pentagon procurement of Ukrainian.
Background
The exercise, called Combined Resolve, took place in Germany over two weeks in April and May 2026, involving about 3,500 US service members, mostly from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division. Ukrainian drone operators, acting as the simulated enemy, easily detected and notionally destroyed US armored vehicles using drone-dropped munitions and FPV kamikaze drones. The US forces, employing traditional ground warfare doctrine with M1A2 Abrams tanks and M2 Bradley vehicles, were overwhelmed, and officials had to 'regenerate' destroyed units to continue the exercise. This event highlights the rapid evolution of drone warfare and the challenges traditional militaries face in adapting.
How it unfolded
- Apr-May 2026Combined Resolve exercise held in Germany; Ukrainian drone operators repeatedly 'destroy' a 3,500-strong US armored brigade, forcing officials to 'regenerate' units to continue.
- May 2026Ukrainian drone operators also defeat NATO forces during exercises in the Baltic region, including UK and Estonian troops.
- Spring 2026Ukrainian UAV operators defeat Swedish troops and allied NATO forces during exercises on Gotland.
- Aug 13, 2026WSJ reports the defeat, citing US officials; other outlets pick up the story, highlighting Pentagon's interest in Ukrainian drone technology.
Who’s saying what
- US Official
- A US official familiar with the results said the Ukrainian drones 'destroyed' American vehicles so quickly that White Force officials had to repeatedly 'regenerate' them to keep the exercise going.
- Analysts
- The exercise shows the US military hasn't fully absorbed lessons from Russia's war in Ukraine, where drones have transformed ground warfare.
- Pentagon
- The Pentagon is now testing Ukrainian drones for potential procurement and has begun using Ukrainian-developed counter-drone technology to protect US troops in the Middle East.
Still unverified
The exact date of the exercise is not specified beyond 'this spring' or 'April and May'; the number of Ukrainian drone operators involved is not disclosed.