"Game Changers" in Ukraine (2025) - Evaluating Effective, Disappointing and Weird Systems

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Given the pace of technical and tactical adaptation in Ukraine, there's a pretty constant stream of weapons or other systems that are talked up as the next big potential "game changer." Some of those systems go on to make a difference, others...don't.

So roughly once I year I like to look at a collection of things that attracted hype and evaluate how they have actually performed so far and today, it's time for the 2025 edition - covering everything from Oreshnik and interceptors, to shotguns, turtle tanks, and Ukraine's innovative Sky Fortress and Zvook sensors.

Previous "Game Changer" Episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z630Rt1mTs - 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaWVrphbHXI - 2024


Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/PerunAU

Reading and Sourcing:

General James B. Hecker - Air Superiority - A Renewed Vision
https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/AEtherJournal/Journals/Volume-3_Number-2/Hecker.pdf

Air Defence Artillery Journal, Colonel Jeremey M. Davis - Mobility Matters: Innovating for Area Air Defense
https://www.lineofdeparture.army.mil/Portals/144/PDF/Journals/Air-Defense-Artillery/Mobile-UA.pdf

Reporting on Zvook and Sky Guardian
https://www.twz.com/air/ukraines-acoustic-drone-detection-network-eyed-by-u-s-as-low-cost-air-defense-option

https://www.zvook.tech/en

https://global.espreso.tv/zvook-project-ukrainian-know-how-for-detecting-air-targets

Reporting on Oreshnik
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-23/ukraine-war-new-russian-missile-oreshnik-travelled-mach-11/104638254

https://jamestown.org/program/the-kremlin-threatens-european-countries-could-be-oreshniks-next-target/

https://tass.com/politics/1997149

https://tass.com/politics/1997133

Fiber Optic Drones
https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraine-begins-mass-production-of-30-kilometer-fiber-optic-drone-reel-8032

Hrim & Flamingo
https://www.twz.com/air/ukraine-says-it-has-tested-a-new-domestically-designed-ballistic-missile

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/22/ukraine-war-briefing-zelenskyy-reveals-huge-flamingo-cruise-missile-as-no-peace-in-sight

Zapad Exercises footage & reporting
https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idRW468913092025RP1/?chan=aoiq7v2k

50km cables
https://x.com/TheDeadDistrict/status/1973792097548546054

Benelli M4-AI-Drongg Guarian
https://www.benellidefense.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Brochure-M4-AI-Drone-Guardian.pdf

UMPK-PD
https://united24media.com/latest-news/russia-has-quietly-upgraded-its-glide-bomb-kits-heres-how-8836

Featured article including anti-drone net rounds
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/ukrainian-sof-analyzes-russia-s-use-of-shotguns-to-protect-against-fpv-drones/

Glide bomb mapping (by @clement_molin)
https://x.com/clement_molin/status/1955602520698675334v

Caveats & Comments:

All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I note that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete examination of the topic and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other any other views and/or decisions.

Any content relating to the conduct, views, activities or any aspect of any person or character in this video is included for entertainment purposes and does not represent an assertion of fact on those matters or any matters in relation to that person or character.

Care has been taken in compiling data, quotes, and other inputs from various sources but errors can occur. Quotes and included data should be considered illustrative, not definitive and their veracity should not be relied on.


Timestamps:
00:00:00 — Opening Words
00:00:44 — What Am I Talking About?
00:02:32 — Defining Our "Game Changers"
00:05:04 — Glide Bombs
00:16:25 — Oreshnik
00:21:18 — Flamingo & Hrim
00:22:43 — the Drones & Defences
00:28:31 — Stopping the Drones
00:57:14 — Honourable Mentions
00:59:21 — Channel Update