Unveiling Ukraine's River Warfare,Drones Redefine the Notion of Safety

Taking refuge from the winter winds, we enter a militarized living room where Ukrainian soldiers sit on armchairs, their quiet focus contrasting with the scent of strawberry vape hanging in the air. The soldiers, adorned with cans of Monster energy drink, inhabit a space marked by floral wallpaper, seemingly incongruent with their circumstances. Amidst this setting, Artem, a 20-year-old pilot, receives urgent news about Russian-launched drones. Tymur, the commander of the Samosud squad, reveals their mission: to destroy the drone pilots with known coordinates.

Inside the room, a dozen drones, loaded with grenades, rest on the floor, with a cat serving as the unit's unofficial mascot. Artem dons a VR headset, and we witness his drone crossing the river into occupied territory on a TV screen. Navigating an industrial area, Artem identifies a target, destroys an antenna, and returns with a nonchalant demeanor. This routine has become business as usual for the soldiers, who have adapted to this unconventional warfare.

Despite encountering Russian jamming systems, the unit persists in launching drones to disrupt the enemy's supply routes. Targeting a main road frequented by Russian deliveries, Ukrainian drone pilots aim at anything with wheels. The continuous cycle of launching, seeking, and destroying is financially significant, with Tymur citing the destruction of a $136 million S-350 air defense missile system as a notable accomplishment.

Drones have altered the dynamics of the conflict, eliminating the Russians' ability to conceal within 10km of the front line. However, the invaders reciprocate, subjecting Ukrainians to constant drone surveillance and enemy bombardment. Life in Kherson is drained as the city streets bear the weight of ongoing attacks, with Ukrainian offensives limited to probing actions that demand patience, especially considering the challenges posed by relentless drone warfare.

Source: BBC