Russians can never get their narrative across, before the internet it was the job of CNN, FOX and BBC to beam western propaganda. In the age of social media, again the west dominates. Youtube, Twitter and facebook at will can ban anyone, Many videos that I had bookmarked has been wiped out in youtube.The western narrative has got traction. The Russian one has fallen behind. Won't change facts on the ground.
A couple of theories have had a good test with this conflict.
After the Armenian - Azebaijan clash, people were saying drones are the future. Where are the drones in this conflict ?
People say a lot about cyber but in this conflict we can see that cyber is incapable of shaping a conflict. Cyber can't do much in a hot war unless the other side is heavily networked.
I keep hearing a teenager with a laptop can do more damage than an armoured brigade. But the only use of cyber is for greyzone in peace time.
And cyber is useless against less networked opponents.
Ukranians could have been much smarter than to poke Russia in the eye.
Ukraine should aspire to become the Switzerland of eastern Europe.
If twitter can censor or ban a sitting US president, what chance do you think Russian's have. No matter how carefully they thread to Ukraine with minimal civilian casulaties, the western propaganda will say the exact opposite, many in Russia question why bother then . Since Russia could use the US style scorched earth method like they did in Iraq.
If one believes the western propaganda we will get the impression that Ukraine is winning.
Not a peep about the Azov Nazi group human right violations. They kill anyone who they suspect is helping the russians with no investigation at all. since the russian offensive I have seen Ukrainens killing other Ukraines, all of the victims where unarmed civilians or appear to to be in civilian clothing. They crucify people in this day and age, yes crucify with nails.
As far as drones yes they do help a lot in protecting conveys, but with out air supremacy non stealthy drones are useless, if the convoy as a anti aircraft weapons system operating.
Most of the videos coming out of ukraine where the TB2 drone of Ukraine target vehicles where when the AA system was not active.
Further more if a country as the fighter jets in the air, drones are useless. Sure they can score a few kills here and there. The main reason to use drones are because they are cheap and if they are shot down no humans will die.
Cyber warfare can cripple a country only if the effected computers are connected to the internet. If a cyber attack where to take place, US will come out worse off then the Russians, which still use good old hardware and analog devices in many of there infrastructure.