October 5, 2025, 3:02 pm
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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
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
Content Creator – Perun
