Kill zone from the sky

The Star

21 hours ago

'DRONES, drones, drones. Only drones. A lot of drones.'
A weary Ukrainian platoon commander, being evacuated from the front line, summed up the new face of war.
Kamikaze drones. Surveillance drones. Bomber drones. Drones that kill other drones.
These machines now dominate the skies over Ukraine.
They're cheap, deadly and ubiquitous – and among the main reasons Ukrainian forces believe they can keep resisting Russia's advance this year and beyond.
Soldiers describe the 10km-deep stretch of land on either side of the front as the 'kill zone', where drones spot and strike with brutal speed.
The war has evolved into the most drone-intensive conflict in history – a shift that has helped neutralise Russia's traditional advantages in manpower, artillery and armour.
'Any large vehicle near the front is a target,' said one Ukrainian commander. Columns of tanks, like those Russia used in 2022, now risk instant destruction.
The surveillance network is immense. Over 15,000 Ukrainian drone crews feed real-time footage into Ochi, a video integration system.
'The enemy sees you completely,' said Ochi's founder, Oleksandr Dmitriev.
'No matter where you go or what you are driving.'
In response, Russian troops now attack in small units – usually five or six on foot, motorbikes or quad bikes – to draw fire and expose Ukrainian positions for drone strikes.
Russia's Defence Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
Despite tactical changes, Russian forces still hold the upper hand, pushing slowly through the east and north.
Russia has also ramped up its own drone production to millions annually.
Yet many Ukrainian officials and arms experts remain optimistic.
Even if US support dwindles, they say, drones and European military aid could help Ukraine hold out – for now.
New Ukrainian-made drone-missiles, named Peklo, during an exhibition dedicated to the Day of Ukrainian Armed Forces. — Reuters
'We can hold out for months,' said Oleksandr Kamyshin, arms expert and strategic adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 'In 2023 or 2024, it would have been a lot worse – we would be talking about days or weeks.'
On the front lines, drones are now the deadliest threat.
Ivan, a 35-year-old platoon commander known by the call sign 'Atom', said drones have replaced mines, shells and snipers as the most feared danger.
'They're demons,' he said. 'Everyone fears them now.'
Reconnaissance UAVs – often resembling toy planes – hover over the battlefield, relaying images in real time.
They spot for bomber drones that drop grenades with 3D-printed tailfins, and for kamikaze units fitted with RPG warheads, designed to pierce armour or hit enemy fighters directly.
Battlefield medics say the change is stark.
'Most of our injuries now come from drones,' said Olga Kozum, 34, who was treating wounded alongside Ivan.
Internal Ukrainian estimates suggest drones were responsible for 69% of strikes on Russian troops and 75% on equipment in 2024.
In comparison, artillery accounted for only 18% and 15%, respectively. Mortars made up most of the rest.
Both sides have developed fibre-optic drones that can't be jammed, as well as 'interceptors' – airborne hunter-killers designed to destroy enemy UAVs mid-flight.
Ukraine is also boosting its offensive capacity with long-range drones.
Kyiv plans to produce 30,000 such UAVs this year, capable of targeting deep into Russia – from ammunition depots to oil refineries.
'These are our asymmetrical answer,' said former drone commander Vadym Sukharevskyi.
He noted that a long-range drone costs US$50,000–300,000 – about a tenth of a missile's price, albeit with a smaller payload.
'You can't win a big war if you're only defending,' Kamyshin added.
'Long-range drone strikes are one of the main cards Ukraine can play against Russia.'
Ukraine's military-industrial sector now supplies 40% of its own equipment, including drones. Zelenskyy hopes to raise that to 50% within six months.
At the same time, European nations are increasing their contributions.
According to Germany's Kiel Institute, Europe overtook the United States in total military aid for the first time since June 2022, pledging €72bil compared to €65bil from Washington.
The shift is partly due to stalled US aid earlier this year, though President Donald Trump has recently pledged to send arms to Ukraine via Nato – if Europe pays.
Key details of the deal remain vague, including what types of weapons will be sent, how quickly and how the cost will be shared.
Still, Ukraine remains heavily reliant on US air defences and satellite intelligence.
Patriot systems – capable of intercepting Russia's increasingly frequent ballistic missile attacks – are in short supply. Ukraine has only seven fully operational Patriot batteries, far short of the 25 it says it needs.
While Europe is scaling up artillery production, it cannot fully replace the US role in sharing real-time intelligence, analysts say.
In the meantime, drone warfare continues to reshape the battlefield – faster and cheaper than any missile, more terrifying than any shell. — Reuters