Why Russians Are In Despair Over Truck-Busting ’Martian’ Drones

BusinessAerospace & DefenseWhy Russians Are In Despair Over Truck-Busting ’Martian’ DronesByDavid Hambling,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I'm a South London-based technology journalist, consultant and authorFollow AuthorMay 22, 2026, 08:56am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Video posted by Azov unit of a .Martian' attack on Russian logistics truck Ukraine MoDRussian military boggers have a lot to be unhappy about. At the front, their army is slowly losing ground with heavy casualties, thanks largely to Ukrainian FPV drone supremacy. Further back, Moscow suffered its first thousand-drone raid leaving an oil refinery in flames and other infrastructure damaged, showing that even the capital is now within reach. But what is happening between those two is causing even more concern.Ukrainian medium-range drone strikes, hitting targets at 12 – 200 kilometres (7-120 miles) have ramped up sharply in recent months. In particular, so-called “Martian” drones are prowling the roads, seeking out and destroying fuel tankers and other vehicles carrying military supplies. Previously safe areas are at risk and supply lines are threatened. President Zelensky noted on May 4th that the number of medium-range strikes doubled between February and March, and doubled again from March to April, adding “and there will be even more.”But the real headache for the Russians is new drones which represent a step-change in technology, making previous defenses useless. And much of the credit for that may go to Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO turned drone warfare investor. MORE FOR YOUStriking Beyond The Grey Zone Quadcopter FPVs dominate the so-called “grey zone” around the front line, and have made conventional battlefield logistics impossible. Back in 2023, the small drones started destroying any truck or van within several miles of the fro...