Ukraine Relies on US Tech for Long-Range Drone Strikes

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is conducting medium- and long-range drone campaigns against Russian oil refineries, ports, and logistics warehouses using a technological stack provided by United States companies. These operations rely on SpaceX Starlink terminals for real-time piloting and communications, Palantir AI software for route planning, and Hornet drones from Perennial Autonomy for mid-range strikes.

These tools enabled Operation Crimean Switch Off, which targeted 27 energy hubs to isolate the Crimea peninsula. While the integration of US technology has increased strike rates and degraded Russian assets cost-effectively, Ukrainian officers have expressed concern over their dependence on American corporate and political decisions. Tensions have previously emerged over SpaceX restrictions regarding the use of Starlink for deep strikes inside Russian territory.

To reduce this vulnerability, Ukraine is developing indigenous long-range drones, though these systems often still integrate US software and intelligence. In response to the advantages provided by Starlink, the Federal Government of Russia is reportedly developing its own satellite communications system, Rassvet.