There are increasingly frequent years dominated by prolonged periods of drought in combination with high temperatures, which can negatively impact wheat yield and quality (Triticum aestivum L.). Plants have developed numerous protection mechanisms against oxidative stress due to lack of water. Since wheat varieties differ in their tolerance to water deficit, this research aimed to determine the influence of moderate and high-intensity drought on the antioxidant status of six genotypes of winter wheat at the beginning of the leafing stage, when the plant has a greater need for nutrients and water, and based on this, distinguish the most tolerant variety and the one most susceptible to drought. The antioxidant status was assessed based on biochemical indicators, which included measuring the content of reduced and oxidized GSH and AsA and their ratios, as well as measuring the activity and gene expression of antioxidants and enzymes involved in the AsA-GSH cycle. The applied intensities of drought caused oxidative stress in the shoots of all six studied varieties. At the same time, the antioxidant response varied depending on the intensity of the drought and the observed variety. Due to the lower level of oxidative stress and the maintained favorable redox status, Bubnjar and Pepeljuga can be considered more resistant to water deficiency. On the other hand, the varieties Anđelka and Fifi did not support a favorable redox status and, due to a weaker antioxidant response, can be considered more susceptible to drought