A Game of Drones: The war in Ukraine has entered a new and perilous phase. No longer does Russia possess the undisputed upper hand. Over the past year, its frontline troops have lost significant ground in the east of the country, the territory Moscow most covets. Despite the loss of most of its American backing, Ukraine has made brilliant use of NATO and European Union support, which has supplied the cash and means to create an imposing drone fleet. Lately, Ukraine’s drone “drivers,” by now well-schooled in video war, have learned to penetrate deep into Russia, for the first time repeatedly targeting Moscow itself as well as nearby and vital oil refineries. All this has enraged one Vladimir Putin, who can now indirectly claim Russia is no longer solely being targeted by Kiev but also by loathed NATO nations. Now more than ever, Putin reserves the right not only to stage his own massive drone and missile reprisals but also to potentially strike Europe, with the Baltic states most likely in his crosshairs. According to the EU, Putin has already directed his expert hackers to do everything in their power to reprogram Ukrainian drones so they encroach on NATO airspace, while also stepping up provocative cyberattacks throughout the continent, part and parcel of the new warfare. Any combination of these circumstances could plunge Europe into a major East-West crisis. While many are cheering Ukraine’s remarkable drone skills, buyer beware. The anger of a wounded Putin could at any time turn irrational, all the more so as America and Israel delight in their lawless military might. It is, to say the least, a volatile time, one in which all eyes need to remain wide open and focused.