The Russian Ministry of Defense released a video on 9/8 showing a reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tracking Ukrainian soldiers and vehicles at a logistics hub near Stakhorshchyna village in Chernihiv province. Shortly after, an Iskander-M ballistic missile struck, destroying most of the vehicles and inflicting casualties.

For almost two years, the Russian military has repeatedly launched Iskander-M missiles at UAV-designated targets in Ukraine, including valuable air defense positions, training grounds, command posts, and key defense facilities, causing significant damage to personnel and infrastructure.

Military experts assess that Russia has significantly shortened the "kill chain" in its Ukraine campaign. The "kill chain" is a US military concept describing the structure of an attack: find, fix, track, target, engage, and assess.

This end-to-end process is called a "chain" because disruption at any step can lead to mission failure. The longer the kill chain, the more opportunities the enemy has to relocate and avoid the strike.

The Soviet "Maneuver" system, introduced in 1982, laid the groundwork for real-time force control, reducing command transmission time and minimizing information discrepancies. This process was interrupted by the collapse of the Soviet Union, leaving the Russian military lagging behind the West.

This hindered Moscow's efforts to locate and strike mobile targets just a few kilometers from the front lines during the first two years of the conflict.

A report published by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in late 2022 noted that Russian military leaders "often avoided empowering those directly involved in combat," forcing unit commanders to await higher-level instructions before ordering attacks.

Poor communication between Russian reconnaissance and fire units also significantly extended attack times, allowing Ukrainian equipment to move and avoid strikes.

This situation changed from 2023, and Russia accelerated the kill chain reform process from early 2024. This resulted from several efforts, including the development and deployment of the Automated Troop Control System (ATCS), described as the Russian military's "digital backbone."

Under the direct supervision of Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, the ATCS has been implemented to meet needs from the platoon to strategic levels, integrating weapon systems like the Iskander-M missile and UAVs to enhance operational flexibility.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in a photo released on 9/8. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense

In a July 2025 meeting, he reviewed the ATCS completion progress, emphasizing its role in providing real-time intelligence and accelerating decision-making.

"Minister Belousov is reshaping how Russia uses technology to address the complex battlefield, drawing inspiration from NATO but adapting it to the realities of the Ukrainian front," said Russian military expert Viktor Litovkin.

The ATCS comprises various combat systems, with its best performance demonstrated in the artillery forces. The "Nettle" complex reduces an artillery battery's combat preparation time from 14 minutes to 3 minutes, and the firing time for unannounced targets from 3 minutes to one minute.

In battles in Donetsk and Lugansk provinces, Nettle helped Russian artillery neutralize multiple Ukrainian defensive positions within minutes of UAV target detection.

The "Planshet-M-IR" system, currently undergoing final testing, is the next step, enabling synchronized control of artillery, mortar, and multiple rocket launcher units. According to Vzglyad, during field tests on the Kharkov front in June 2025, this system enabled a Russian self-propelled artillery battery to destroy a Ukrainian stronghold just 45 seconds after receiving UAV data.

The "Sprut-S" system integrates infantry, air force, air defense, and tactical missiles into a unified information space. The complex includes mobile reconnaissance equipment, information processing points, and secure data transmission lines, allowing target allocation to each force and rapid fire recommendations.

Linking "Sprut-S" with the Iskander-M system and UAVs like the Orlan-30 enhances long-range precision strike capabilities, enabling missile batteries to fire within 2-3 minutes of UAV target identification.

"Integrating Iskander-M and UAVs into the ATCS shows Russia moving closer to NATO's network-centric warfare model," said David Rehak, an expert at the US-based Ron Paul Institute.

However, communication range limitations remain a challenge for the ATCS. Kirisun and TYT radio stations have an effective range of 5 km and rely on signal relays and servers to connect with higher command, forcing many units to use civilian equipment, increasing the risk of enemy infiltration.

Moscow also faces challenges in deploying the ATCS. US and Western sanctions restrict access to and production of modern microprocessors, hindering the Russian technology sector's ability to mass-produce equipment like tablets for frontline units.

Russian soldiers prepare to launch a UAV during a 2019 exercise. Photo: RIA Novosti

Western experts believe the ATCS is significantly inferior to NATO solutions, notably the US Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) platform and the Link 16 tactical data network, which integrates all forces into a common information space.

"The ATCS is a major step forward, but Russia needs to overcome technological hurdles to compete with NATO," said Samuel Bendett, an expert at the Center for Naval Analyses in the US.

Phong Lam (According to Topwar, TASS, War Zone)