On the scarred and muddy front lines of the Donetsk region, a desperate and critical shortage is hampering Ukraine's ability to hold its ground. The weapon in shortest supply isn't bullets or shells, but first-person view (FPV) drones—the eyes and the explosive delivery systems of the modern battlefield.
In the embattled Dobropillia sector, Ukrainian soldiers from the 41st Mechanised Brigade gave The Guardian a stark assessment. Their company, they revealed, has access to a mere ten per cent of the drones it desperately needs to effectively counter relentless Russian assaults.
'We Are Blind Without Them'
The situation is described as nothing short of a crisis. A soldier with the call sign 'Khan' articulated the gravity of the deficit: "We need 100 drones per day for our company's area alone. We have 10." This staggering shortfall leaves massive gaps in their defensive coverage, allowing Russian forces to advance infantry and armour with significantly reduced risk.
Another soldier, 'Kraplya', emphasised the tactical catastrophe this creates. "Without a sufficient number of FPV drones, we are practically blind during assaults... We cannot effectively destroy the enemy." The drones are not merely an asset; they have become the fundamental tool for reconnaissance and striking enemy positions in a war of attrition.
The Asymmetric Advantage Lost
FPV drones, often cheaply assembled from commercial components, have been a cornerstone of Ukraine's strategy to offset Russia's overwhelming advantage in manpower and traditional artillery. These nimble devices allow a single operator miles away to accurately target enemy trenches, armoured vehicles, and artillery pieces with devastating effect.
However, the soldiers report that the Russians have not only caught up but are now outpacing them. They describe facing swarms of five to seven Russian drones simultaneously, overwhelming their positions and electronic countermeasures. This shift in the aerial battlefield has tilted the odds, making every defensive action more costly and perilous.
A Plea for More Than Just Sympathy
The testimony from Dobropillia is a direct and urgent plea to Western allies. While packages of artillery and air defence are crucial, the soldiers stress that the war is being won and lost in the drone war happening just above the trenches. They need a constant, massive, and reliable supply of these systems to survive.
The narrative from the front is clear: without immediate and sustained support to win the technological battle in the air, the defence of Ukrainian soil hangs in the balance. The bravery of the soldiers remains, but bravery alone cannot compete against a swarm of drones.
