Download the full document here: No. 26-1116, Powering The Front, Tactical Energy Delivery and Management in the Ukraine War [PDF - 3.4 MB]
Introduction
Electricity has become one of the most decisive enablers of contemporary warfare. Where past army generations relied primarily on manpower, fuel, and ammunition, today’s forces depend equally on the uninterrupted flow of electrical power to sustain operational tempo. Radios, drones, command-and-control systems, electronic warfare (EW) equipment, precision-guided weapons, and medical devices are all rendered ineffective without a reliable energy source. In the ongoing Ukraine War, electricity has emerged not only as a strategic target but also a tactical necessity. Russia has deliberately struck Ukraine’s national power grid to disrupt civilian life and weaken morale, illustrating how energy infrastructure functions as a military objective and psychological warfare tool. Yet, beyond the strategic sphere of grid attacks and national energy policy lies a more immediate and pressing concern: how small units at the frontline generate, deliver, and manage power under fire.
At the tactical level, electricity is the hidden lifeline of every platoon and company. Unlike fuel or ammunition, which are firmly embedded in established military supply chains, battlefield electricity presents unique challenges. Batteries deplete rapidly, generators are vulnerable to detection, and fuel convoys are high-value targets for artillery and drones. In Ukraine, where combat is fluid and dispersed, units cannot always rely on regular resupply or centralized infrastructure. Instead, they are compelled to improvise, adapt, and integrate military and civilian technologies to sustain operations. The result is a battlefield where energy management has become as critical to survival as camouflage, maneuver, and firepower.
This paper begins with the recognition that modern combat effectiveness is inseparable from battlefield power management. Electrical power is a critical enabler for all warfighting functions. Without it, mission command, protection, sustainment, and intelligence rapidly degrade. Examination of the Ukrainian experience shows that the ability to generate and distribute electricity at the tactical level directly influences command and control (C2), situational awareness, and the lethality of armed forces. The following sections explore the rising energy demands of the modern battlefield, diverse sources of tactical power available to Ukrainian units and challenges they face sustaining it, and innovative adaptations that have emerged in response. The Ukrainian case highlights a broader lesson for modern militaries—tactical energy resilience is no longer an auxiliary concern, but a central pillar of combat readiness.
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