Can the Ukrainians beat the Russians? "We are looking for asymmetric solutions"

This was said late on Monday by the commander of the Ukrainian forces, Oleksandr Syrskiy.

"The development of unmanned systems is my priority," Syrskiy said on Telegram after a meeting with Deputy Vadim Suharevsky.

"We are looking for asymmetric solutions in order to gain a qualitative advantage over a numerically superior opponent."

The increased use of drones by both sides is shifting the conflict from the battlefield to mutual attacks on military, energy and transportation infrastructure.

Since the Russian army is superior in weapons and manpower on the battlefield, the Moscow forces are increasing the pressure along the entire front line and are gradually advancing.

President Vladimir Putin, who was given another six years in power on Sunday after winning Russia's presidential election, said Moscow's forces had the upper hand on the battlefield in Ukraine and vowed to continue the military operation.

As part of military reforms, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February ordered the creation of a special branch of the Ukrainian armed forces dedicated to drones. Suharevski is in charge of the development and use of unmanned systems.

Military analysts say the drones could potentially give Ukraine a technological edge over Moscow, given its lack of artillery shells and other more traditional weapons. However, the Russian drone industry is also developing rapidly.

As drones become smaller, more lethal and able to travel further, Ukraine has used them in recent months to attack oil refineries in Russia, disabling seven percent of its processing capacity.

Attacks by Ukrainian air and naval drones on Russia's Black Sea fleet in Crimea, some of which were successful, also prompted Russia's defense ministry to pledge over the weekend to protect the fleet from future attacks.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine was launched more than two years ago and has since killed thousands on both sides and displaced millions of Ukrainians.