Ukraine’s dominance in drone warfare is eroding—and fast. Once a symbol of Ukrainian innovation and battlefield adaptability, the drone war is shifting in Russia’s favor. The reason is clear, if largely unspoken: Chinese parts, Chinese support, and a growing silence from Washington. In 2024, Ukraine produced nearly one million tactical drones. It aimed for 2.5 million in 2025—an ambitious plan to offset artillery shortages and manpower constraints.