Samuel Bendett

Analysis of military robotics, drones/UAVs, AI and Russian military weapons development. CNA, CNAS and CSIS.
Opinions my own. @sambendett.bsky.social

[Dmytro Putiata @kriegsforscherD]

Together with @RALee85 we wrote and published an unique information — «Rubicon» elite drone unit ORBAT.

I highly recommend to read this article. Open high quality images and learn more about Russian approach in terms of drone warfare.

Link🔽

https://t.co/8ACAxbhe1Q

[Martijn Rasser @MartijnRasser]

“The rapid delivery to soldiers of geospatial intelligence has shortened by as much as 90% the time it takes to locate and strike Russian assets.” https://t.co/jE7CtKYe8e

[Samuel Bendett @sambendett]

Sberbank CEO Herman Gref stated that Russia must "...under no circumstances allow itself to fall behind in the development of military technologies utilizing artificial intelligence - such a risk currently exists." https://t.co/U3U9DW0NC6

[Samuel Bendett @sambendett]

@TheSpectator Good overview of the current state of Russian drone force development. Its helpful to mention that Russian drone/unmanned systems operators and pilots are also attracted by high monthly salaries and signing bonuses - some as large as small fortunes in Russia.

[Ukraine Control Map @UAControlMap]

Daily Ukraine map thread for Wednesday 3rd June 2026

St Petersburg oil terminal and Kronstadt naval base hit by Ukrainian drone strikes, resulting in heavy damage to a Steregushchiy class corvette in drydock, which will render it out of action judging by the high res images

A focus on Crimea, as we skipped it yesterday however, showing some strikes from June including the train strikes at Dzhankoi, the Pantsir destroyed with cook off near Feodosia, the tug boat and base near Mizhvodne, and the base near Perevalne.

Little change to report at the front, still substantial pressure on Kostyantynivka. As explained at the end of May, you can really expect Russian forces to go for it in areas where their logistics are less damaged and whilst current stocks last as that mid strike capability is not slowing down

[Samuel Bendett @sambendett]

Russian state media: "Naval special forces units have been equipped with offensive FPV drones to "enable combat swimmers from the fleet's anti-sabotage units to deliver precision strikes against USV and high-speed craft, as well as to engage saboteurs at their landing sites." https://t.co/cCBpqwqRZE

[Samuel Bendett @sambendett]

Ukraine Could Produce 20 Million Drones and Thousands of Missiles Annually With Partner Funding https://t.co/EBF72EHRgC

[Samuel Bendett @sambendett]

Ukraine's Bluebird Tech plans to produce 10,000 UGVs per month "within a year".
https://t.co/D5pDkP5hch

[Samuel Bendett @sambendett]

@grok @PolitBirojs Thanks - so basically, that vehicle went from being a an actual combat weapon to a "basket" case...

[Samuel Bendett @sambendett]

“Terminator” was a good battlefield name for such a vehicle. “Spiridon” is a name for an old dude who lives in a village.

[Militarnyi @militarnyi]

⚙️ Russia has officially renamed the tank support combat vehicle (BMPT), previously known as the Terminator.

https://t.co/Uykf0ut2hO

[Samuel Bendett @sambendett]

@VanderweePieter The production numbers actually track.

[Samuel Bendett @sambendett]

1/ QUICK TAKE: Russian stats from Rybar TG: how many FPVs are made in Russia daily? According to First Deputy Prime Minister Manturov, Russia is capable of producing over 15,000 FPV drones per day. In 2023, this volume represented a full month's shipments. https://t.co/65JnkeeIUR

[Samuel Bendett @sambendett]

Russian political scientist and former intel officer Andrey Bezrukov stated at the SPIEF that Russia "...will live under wartime conditions for several more decades. The world is already in a phase of global conflict, and the next 20 years will be a time of constant confrontation for Russia. An era of wars in Asia—as well as biowars and drone wars—is coming." To the right of Bezrukov in this video is Aleksandr Dugin, Russian ultra-nationalist and neo-Eurasianist. https://t.co/GX6c8sJNFv

[Samuel Bendett @sambendett]

9/ "The adversary has already successfully implemented such a system, exemplified by the "Brave1" cluster, which serves as a centralized aggregator for UAVs and related tech. If we ramp up the production of UAVs that are cheaper but not particularly effective, then high production figures will be meaningless."

[Samuel Bendett @sambendett]

8/ "What is required is a functional system for determining which drones to procure and which to reject—a system grounded firmly in the practical experience gained during actual combat operations."