August 2024

Highlights

Israel:

• Atmospherics: Israel's military strategy remains focused on preemptive strikes and robust defensive
  measures to counter the evolving threats from Hezbollah and Hamas. However, the
  persistent use of FPV drones and the ongoing hostilities underscore the potential for
  further escalation, necessitating continuous adaptation and vigilance from Israeli
  forces. The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions yet to yield
  significant results.

Ukraine:

• Atmospherics: A Russian FPV strike killed a 34-year-old Ukrainian medic during an Aug. 14 casualty evacuation mission near Kharkiv. Her name was Oleksandra Mulkevych, and she was on the last day of her deployment and scheduled to return home the next day. Mulkevych’s death underscores the constant casualties that Ukrainian forces continue to suffer in other parts of the eastern front line, distant from the headline- grabbing advances in Russia’s Kursk region. It’s also a reminder that women comprise some 20% of Ukraine’s active-duty force. These women are not subject to mobilization and serve as volunteers — including on the front line and in combat roles.

• Emerging Tech: The Russians have reportedly been using tethered, FPV drones to defeat Ukrainian
  electronic warfare countermeasures and to effect strikes.
  • According to Ukrainian Telegram channels, the Russians have reportedly fielded a
    counter-air FPV, equipped with a launchable net, called the “Osoed” (Осоед).
  • Ukrainian forces have reportedly been using “robotic dog” UGVs in the Kursk
    counteroffensive.
  • Russian developers announced mass-scale production of an analogue of Ukraine’s
    “Baba Yaga” heavy-lift drone.
  • A Ukrainian 3D-printing manufacture, Nayavu Additive Manufacturer, has added a
    new product to its line of release mechanisms for dropping munitions from drones.
• Battlefield Trends
  • According to OSINT sources, the Russians reportedly shot down a Ukrainian Baba
    Yaga heavy-lift drone armed with a novel laser-guided bomb, bespoke for drone
    usage.
  • OSINT sources report that Ukrainian drones, flying at night, have dropped disguised
    anti-tank mines on Russian roads.