In the midst of a deadlock in Congress over additional aid for Ukraine, the nation's domestic arms industry is becoming increasingly crucial. One of its most vital weapons systems is the army of drones it is producing. Journalist Nick Schifrin and videographer Eric O'Connor ventured to the southern frontline of Ukraine to witness firsthand how drones have transformed the war.

The use of drones has reshaped the dynamics of warfare, eliminating the notion of a safe space and forcing both sides to constantly navigate the unblinking eyes in the sky. Lt. Ashot Artiunian, known by his call sign Doc, leads a volunteer drone unit on Ukraine's southern front. Equipped with a MacBook Pro, a tablet for real-time intelligence, and a homemade foam drone held together by duct tape, they contribute to destroying millions of dollars worth of Russian equipment.

In this drone war, Ukrainian and Russian forces engage in a constant battle of electronic warfare, each attempting to jam the other's drones. The Ukrainian team, consisting of individuals who crowdfund their equipment, has faced challenges in maintaining a clear view due to frequent jamming attempts by the Russians.

The Ukrainian armed forces have been losing approximately 10,000 drones per month, and US officials concede that they lack a solution to Russia's superior electronic warfare capabilities. Russian radio electronic warfare systems have proven to be highly effective, posing a significant challenge to Ukrainian drone operations.

Despite these obstacles, drones have revolutionized the war in Ukraine. Ukraine has showcased their capabilities in highly produced videos, featuring small bombs dropped from drones and first-person view (FPV) drones crashing into military vehicles or navigating disabled ones. These low-cost drones have the potential to destroy expensive equipment, giving Ukraine an advantage on the battlefield.

However, the use of drones isn't limited to Ukraine alone. Russian drones have played a crucial role in impeding Ukraine's counteroffensive and surveilling critical infrastructure as far west as Lviv. The war in Ukraine is increasingly becoming a war of drones, with the outcome depending on the quantity and effective use of these unmanned aerial vehicles.

Recognizing the significance of drones, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Minister for Digital Transformation, is spearheading efforts to create an army of drones. Ukraine aims to leverage its burgeoning domestic drone industry, which has witnessed a 100-fold increase in local production. More than 200 manufacturers, including companies like Airlogix, have transitioned from designing cargo drones to producing drones for Ukraine's military.

Airlogix, based in Kyiv, is one of these manufacturers contributing to Ukraine's drone arsenal. Producing 12 to 15 drones per month, Airlogix's lightweight drones are made from laser-cut lightweight wood and rubber components created with a 3-D printer. Their flagship drone, the GOR, is a reconnaissance drone equipped with artificial intelligence for target tracking.

Ukraine has already employed long-range drones to attack Russian bases, supply lines within Russia, and even the heart of Moscow. By developing scalable long-range drones, Ukraine aims to turn the tide of the war and take the fight to Russia's elite. Naval drones have also played a crucial role in pushing back the Russian fleet, allowing Ukrainian Black Sea shipping lanes to reopen.

While Ukraine has made significant strides in drone development, there is still a long way to go. With the threat of reduced US financing, Ukraine's domestic drone industry will play a central role in ensuring the nation's success in a drone war characterized by constant innovation and adaptation on the front lines.