WASHINGTON

US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll cautioned Wednesday that Ukraine’s recent drone strikes on Russia highlight vulnerability in US defenses against emerging, low-cost threats.

“This week, we witnessed a stark illustration of modern warfare in Ukraine and Russia," Driscoll said while testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on the Army's readiness and posture for fiscal year 2026.

His remarks came after Ukraine's military conducted a "large-scale" attack on Russia, with Ukrainian state media claiming Sunday that more than 40 strategic bombers were destroyed in the strikes using drones in various regions, including the Siberian region of Irkutsk.

"At a cost of mere tens of thousands of dollars, Ukraine inflicted billions in damage, potentially setting back Russia’s bomber capabilities for years. The world saw, in real-time, how readily available technology can disrupt established power dynamics.

"Drones are but one example of a broader shift. The army needs to keep pace," Driscoll told lawmakers.

In a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that they discussed the attack on Russia’s docked airplanes by Ukraine.

Putin "did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields," Trump said, adding it "was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate peace."