August M
Ukrainian troops defending eastern front-line positions describe a battlefield transformed by drones, where even basic movement can become a deadly gamble.
In some areas near the contested city of Kostyantynivka, soldiers now spend months trapped in isolated foxholes while unmanned aircraft patrol the skies day and night, reports BBC.
Trapped at the front
A Ukrainian infantryman known by the callsign Kenya spent 225 days stationed in a front-line position before finally managing to escape back to his brigade.
According to BBC reporting from the Donbas region, commanders attempted several times to rotate him out, but drone surveillance made rescue missions nearly impossible.
Kenya eventually walked around 11 kilometers over two days, avoiding mines and hiding from aerial drones while retreating from the front.
The area around Kostyantynivka remains one of the most contested sectors in eastern Ukraine, with Russian troops reportedly reaching the outskirts of the city.
War transformed
Soldiers interviewed by the BBC said drones now dominate much of the fighting, reshaping traditional battlefield tactics.
Large tank assaults and mass infantry charges have largely been replaced by small groups moving quickly across open ground, sometimes using motorbikes, bicycles, or even horses to avoid detection.
Troops refer to sections of the front as the “kill-zone” — areas constantly monitored by drones capable of attacking nearly any visible movement.
“Most fighting was done by drones,” Kenya said.
At night, Ukrainian soldiers reportedly wear anti-drone cloaks designed to hide body heat from thermal imaging cameras, though fighters say the protection only works briefly.
Life underground
Despite advances in military technology, Ukrainian troops say human soldiers remain essential for holding territory.
Small units continue living in dugouts, ruined buildings, and basements close to Russian positions to maintain control of contested land.
Another soldier, Khani, described surviving after Russian drones and artillery destroyed the building where his team was sheltering.
When Russian troops tried entering the basement, Ukrainian defenders opened fire, exposing their location and triggering further attacks, including explosive drones and kamikaze strikes.
Khani said one drone connected by fiber-optic cable became tangled at the entrance, allowing him to disable it before Russian troops attempted to bury the position under rubble.
Harsh conditions
Ukrainian soldiers also described severe shortages of food, water, and supplies at front-line positions.
Because many supply routes are under drone surveillance, ammunition and food are often delivered by aerial drones, though many deliveries reportedly fail.
“The most memorable moment for me was when it rained,” Kenya said. “I got undressed and went outside to wash myself.”
During winter, some troops endured temperatures as low as -25C while sleeping in damaged shelters with inadequate equipment.
One soldier recalled a comrade dying from hypothermia after falling ill at the front.
Ukrainian military officials say Russia may be preparing a new summer offensive, while Kyiv continues targeting Russian logistics and supply routes in an effort to slow further advances.
Sources: BBC, DeepState, Institute for the Study of War
