Ukrainian drone teams demolished a brigade of US Army tanks and armored vehicles during a live war game held this year—but US soldiers got “respawn” attempts while learning from the experience. The semiannual exercise, Combined Resolve, gave the US military a firsthand taste of modern drone warfare evolution. Ukrainian operators easily spotted and destroyed US armored vehicles by mimicking bomb drops or kamikaze strikes, according to US officials and a participant speaking to The Wall Street Journal.

US armored vehicles were destroyed so quickly they were respawned and sent back. The exercise in Germany (April 9 to May 10) involved troops from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division, typically operating M1A2 tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. By repeating scenarios, troops learned to disperse, hide, and use countermeasures like electronic warfare.

Ukrainian drone teams also participated in Sweden-led NATO exercise Aurora 26 in May. A mock mechanized assault by NATO tanks and vehicles allowed Ukrainian drones to take out dozens of attacking armored vehicles, forcing planners to reset the war game, according to The Kyiv Independent.