Ukrainian drone teams are the David to Russia's Goliath

This Saturday, NewsNation’s Robert Sherman reports live from Ukraine for a special report, “Ukraine: On the Frontlines.” The one-hour program will air 8p/7C. Find out how to watch.

(NewsNation) — It was the sneak attack that shocked the world. During “Operation Spiderweb” in June, dozens of Ukrainian drones smuggled behind Russian lines took out billions of dollars in aircraft at bases across the country.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 as a conventional war, but it has morphed into a new, unconventional arms race. Ukrainians estimate Russia launched more than 6,000 drones at their country in the month of July alone.

NewsNation spent the day with one of Ukraine’s top drone developers, Vyriy, which wasn’t even in the drone game when the war broke out.

“It would be near-impossible to fight a huge military machine like Russia, but with drones it becomes much easier,” one representative said.

Their drones are cheap, ranging in cost from less than $300 to $1,000.

Depending on the model, 80% to 100% of the parts are made in Ukraine — quick delivery to the front lines at a rock bottom price.

The advancement in technology has birthed a new kind of military unit: drone teams. One deploying to the front lines that NewsNation observed included four troops — one that handles explosives and three pilots. That’s all they need.

Just a few miles from the front lines, NewsNation visited the ground zero of this new era: a workshop where new advancements are made every day.

“You need to think a couple of steps in advance, look forward,” an engineer who goes by the call sign "Djeza" tells correspondent Robert Sherman.

“So, modern warfare is advancing that quickly that in a couple of months some of the technology you see here will be out of date?” Sherman asks.

“Exactly.”

Djeza said there are specific drones for a variety of wartime functions, such as assaults, counterassaults and attacks on infantry and vehicles.

He said one out of four drones typically scores a direct hit. It’s common for a thousand bucks’ worth of drones to take out tens of millions of dollars’ worth of equipment. That’s why, Djeza said, despite their big defense budgets, countries like Russia, China, and even the U.S. would be vulnerable targets.

“You’re saying the United States is not prepared for this new era of warfare that’s already here?” Sherman asked.

“Yeah, exactly. It’s not prepared,” Djeza said.