What Happened in the Drone Universe This Week - Edition: January 24, 2026

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks 24 Jan 26

As we move deeper into January 2026, the global drone narrative is defined by a stark dualism. On one hand, we are witnessing the calcification of "drone warfare" as a permanent fixture of geopolitical conflict, with unprecedented swarm attacks in

Eastern Europe and new defense alignments in Africa. On the other, the commercial sector is fighting for breathing room, navigating a complex web of new export easements, security crackdowns, and privacy debates.

From the freezing forests of Saskatchewan to the contested skies over Kyiv, here is your consolidated update on what happened in the drone universe this past week.

On the Global Stage

1. The Air War Intensifies: Ukraine and Russia

The conflict in Ukraine remains the primary driver of military drone innovation and deployment, and this week saw the "saturation tactic" reach terrifying new heights.

• The Weekend Swarm (Jan 23–24): In a grim juxtaposition to peace talks reportedly occurring in the UAE, Russia launched one of its largest combined aerial attacks overnight late in the week. The assault involved approximately 375 attack drones (primarily Shahed-type) aiming to overwhelm Kyiv and Kharkiv.

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• The Weekly Toll: President Zelenskyy reported that in a single week, Ukraine faced over 1,300 attack drones, alongside over 1,000 guided aerial bombs. While Russian air defenses are also active—intercepting over 1,500 Ukrainian drones in a recent seven-day stretch—Ukraine is successfully scaling domestic production. Ukrainian forces are now striking deep into Russian territory, targeting oil refineries and ammunition depots, proving that their goal of 50,000–60,000 drone strikes per month in 2026 is becoming a reality.

  
  

• Tactical Shift: Both sides are targeting energy infrastructure, leaving hundreds of thousands without power in freezing temperatures. Military analysts are now calling this phase the first true "drone war," defined by the sheer volume of attritable systems rather than just precision strikes.

  
  

2. U.S. Policy: A Tug-of-War Between Business and Security

Washington sent mixed signals this week, simultaneously tightening domestic security while trying to untether American manufacturers to compete globally.

• Export Rules Eased (Jan 21): The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security enacted a rule effective January 21, 2026, easing export controls on non-military UAVs to allied nations. This allows U.S. manufacturers to bypass sluggish licensing processes when selling to Wassenaar Arrangement countries, a direct move to help American firms compete against entrenched international rivals.

  
  

• The "Covered List" Fallout: Domestically, the atmosphere is more restrictive. Following the FCC’s move to add major Chinese manufacturers (like DJI) to the "Covered List," the industry is reeling. The Commercial Drone Alliance has warned that broadly cutting off components from allied nations could paradoxically "weaken U.S. national security."

  
  

• New Security Office: This builds on the Department of Homeland Security's recent

  launch of a dedicated Program Executive Office for UAS and C-UAS (Counter-UAS). With $115 million finalized for counter-drone tech, the U.S. is aggressively hardening airspace ahead of the America250 celebrations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

3. FAA Security & Regulatory Deadlines

• Mobile Asset Protection (Jan 22): The FAA issued a new security directive creating "National Defense Airspace" around government mobile assets. It is now illegal to fly drones near specific federal convoys, a response to the ease with which hobbyist drones can track secure movements.

  
  

• BVLOS Countdown: The industry is eyeing February 1, 2026—the Trump administration's deadline for final Part 108 BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) rules. This shift from waivers to performance-based regulation is poised to unlock scalable commercial operations, from inspections to package delivery.

  
  

4. International Trade & Innovation

• Ethiopia Buys Russian: In a significant shift for the African market, Ethiopia confirmed the acquisition and deployment of Russian Orion-E combat drones. This marks Moscow's first major foreign sale of the MALE (Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance) system, challenging the dominance of Turkish and Chinese platforms in the region.

  
  

• AI vs. Wildfires: On the tech front, companies like Zenatech are making headlines with AI-enabled drone swarms designed for early wildfire suppression. These autonomous systems scan forests to detect and extinguish fires before they become infernos—a critical innovation as global temperatures rise.

In Canada

1. Industry Business: Dominion Dynamics Raises $21M

The headline financial news of the week comes from Ottawa. On January 19, Dominion Dynamics announced a $21 million CAD seed round led by Georgian.

• The Mission: The capital is dedicated to building "interoperable, attributable systems" for Arctic defense. As the Arctic becomes a contested geopolitical arena, Canada is rushing to secure its northern border with autonomous tech capable of surviving extreme cold—a niche where Canadian engineering excels.

  
  

2. Public Safety: Saskatchewan Leads, Cranbrook Debates

The application of drones in public safety continues to be a double-edged sword, offering life-saving capabilities while sparking privacy debates.

• Saskatchewan RCMP Success: The province remains a leader in drone policing, being the only one with a drone in every RCMP detachment. This week, reports highlighted a rescue near Prince Albert where thermal drones located two individuals freezing in dense woods after a shooting incident. With over 1,000 flights in 2025, the technology has become standard issue for prairie policing.

  
  

• Privacy in B.C.: Conversely, the City of Cranbrook is facing backlash for using drones to monitor homeless encampments. While officials argue it is necessary to identify fire hazards (like propane tanks) before officers enter, residents and advocates are raising alarm over privacy and human rights, highlighting the friction between safety and surveillance.

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3. Innovation: From Brandon to Stockholm

Canadian innovation was on full display both at home and abroad this week.

• Ag Days (Brandon, MB): At the massive Ag Days show, Ag Drone Canada turned heads with the Sentinel eVTOL, a manned drone capable of carrying 180 liters of liquid. Requiring only an ultralight license, it signals a future where "flying farmers" become a literal reality this summer.

  
  

• Remote Connectivity (TMU & UBC): Toronto Metropolitan University researchers unveiled new AI algorithms for autonomous route planning to aid remote Indigenous communities. Simultaneously, UBC’s CLEAR project is testing 5G-connected drones for flood monitoring in partnership with the SC'IȺNEW̱ Nation, using the tech to protect coastal lands.

  
  

• Draganfly in Sweden: Saskatoon’s Draganfly announced it is deploying drones equipped with Smith Myers' ARTEMIS system for search and rescue in Sweden. The tech turns a drone into a flying cellular base station, locating missing persons by their phone signal even in dead zones.

  
  

4. Regulatory Landscape: Life Under "New Rules"

The Canadian industry is settling into the first full quarter under the modernized Transport Canada regulations.

• The Shift: Operators are increasingly securing Level 1 Complex Operations certificates. The industry buzz this week focused on how these rules are finally facilitating routine BVLOS flights without the crushing weight of SFOC paperwork. This regulatory maturity is giving Canadian firms a distinct operational advantage compared to their southern neighbors, who are still waiting for the FAA's Part 108 to finalize.

  
  

The Verdict

The week of January 18–24, 2026, reinforced that the "drone universe" is no longer a monolith. It is fracturing into distinct spheres: a combat sphere focused on volume and lethality (Ukraine/Russia), a protectionist sphere focused on supply chain security (USA), and a pragmatic sphere focused on application and integration (Canada).

As we look toward February, the eyes of the industry will turn south to the FAA's upcoming BVLOS ruling, which could either harmonize North American airspace rules or deepen the regulatory divide.