Drone Dominance: Inside Ukraine and Russia’s Tech Arms Race - Sam Bendett | Part I

Drone Wars

Part I: OSINT, Telegram Warfare & Tactical Innovation

In Part I of our conversation with Sam Bendett, we dive deep into how the war in Ukraine is being shaped not only on the battlefield—but online.
Sam, a leading expert in open-source intelligence and Russian military adaptation, breaks down how Telegram and other platforms have become real-time war theaters. He explains how grassroots innovation from soldiers, startups, and volunteers is overtaking traditional top-down military systems.
We explore how the fusion of commercial drone tech and DIY ingenuity is rapidly evolving combat strategy, and how China has become the silent enabler of both sides’ drone fleets.
If you want to understand the open-source dynamics behind the world’s most tech-driven war, this episode is your entry point.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro & Who is Sam Bendett?
2:15 – Sam’s background in Russian military tech and open-source intelligence
5:13 – The role of Telegram in modern warfare
7:37 – How quickly the battlefield evolves
10:20 – China's silent role in drone supply chains
13:38 – Integration of commercial tech into military strategy
17:49 – The legacy of quadcopters in artillery
19:09 – Long-term outlook: Is this the new norm?
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About Drone Wars

Firestorm Studios brings you The Drone Wars Podcast, a show that explores all facets of autonomous systems - ground, air, and sea - and their transformative impact on various aspects of human life, from agriculture to warfare. We feature interviews with CEOs, founders, and C-suite executives from the world's leading autonomy and robotics companies.