Ukraine Spent Big to Shield Energy Industry From Drones. Is the Mideast Next? - The New York Times

Ukraine has invested heavily in air defense systems and protective infrastructure to defend its energy sector from Russian drone attacks. The strategy reflects a shift in how countries protect critical infrastructure against aerial threats in modern warfare, as Russia has systematically targeted Ukraine's power plants and electrical grid since the 2022 invasion. The question now is whether Middle Eastern nations—facing similar drone threats from various adversaries—will adopt comparable defensive measures and spending levels. Ukraine's experience offers a costly but practical blueprint: sheltering equipment, deploying air defense networks, and hardening targets have reduced but not eliminated damage from attacks. The stakes are high, as energy infrastructure destruction destabilizes economies and civilian populations, making the approach relevant to any nation vulnerable to drone warfare.