In a challenging commentary for Ukrainska Pravda, former top commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, Valerij Zaluzhnyj, reflects on the evolution of the ongoing war in Ukraine, asserting that it has transcended its status as a regional conflict to become a 'laboratory of the future' for modern warfare. He emphasizes that contemporary warfare is no longer characterized by mass mobilizations or traditional tank battles, but rather by a battlefield that is increasingly automated and devoid of human presence, with a significant depth of high-tech destructive capabilities that extends at least 25 kilometers into contested territory.

Zaluzhnyj points out that the dynamics of war have shifted such that traditional logistical support is becoming nonviable, and the number of personnel available for direct combat roles is rapidly diminishing. He argues that the human factor is becoming the most expensive resource in military operations, with the recovery and training process for soldiers taking too long in the fast-paced environment of modern conflicts. This fundamental transformation has led him to conclude that traditional forms of mobilization are no longer sufficient in the face of advanced warfare technologies, which are increasingly likely to involve robotic systems assuming roles previously filled by soldiers.

This commentary not only provides a critical insight into the realities of warfare in Ukraine but also raises significant implications for military strategy and doctrine worldwide. Zaluzhnyj’s reflections invite military analysts and scholars to reconsider the role of human soldiers in battle and the integration of robotics in combat scenarios, possibly foreshadowing a future where human involvement in warfare is minimal, and technological advancements dictate the course of conflicts.