The invisible war in Ukraine

The Vector fixed-wing reconnaissance drone from Quantum Systems at the company’s repair centre. — ©2023 The New York Times Company

THE drones began crashing on Ukraine’s front lines, with little explanation.

For months, the aerial vehicles supplied by Quantum Systems, a German technology firm, had worked smoothly for Ukraine’s military, swooping through the air to spot enemy tanks and troops in the country’s war against Russia. Then late last year, the machines abruptly started falling from the sky as they returned from missions.