The stunning footage of Russian military airfields obscured by thick plumes of smoke and strategic bombers going up in flames served to demonstrate Ukraine’s resolve and ability to strike targets as far as beyond the Arctic Circle.

Kyiv’s daring “Operation Spiderweb” carried out by Ukraine’s security service (SBU) earlier this month against four air bases in Russia also highlighted the devastating effects of a technological race being shaped by artificial intelligence.

“War is changing every day now,” said Valeriy Borovyk, chief executive of First Contact — the company that produced the small and agile quadcopters deployed against the Russian airfields. “Swarm drones, miniaturisation, ‘last-mile’ AI targeting?.?.?.?we need to prepare for all of this.”