Ukraine: Drones Transform Trench Warfare, Creating a 'Death Zone'

According to a Politico report, the use of drones in Ukraine has changed the way the war is conducted, creating a 'death zone' of up to 20 kilometers, where movement and resupply are extremely dangerous.

Drones are used for reconnaissance, kamikaze attacks, and remote road mining. Anti-drone systems are trying to locate and neutralize drones and their operators.

Colonel Pavlo Palisa stated that it is now a 'drone versus drone war', where attacks and ambushes are constant.

Since 2022, drones have evolved rapidly. Large trench systems have been replaced by small points, with drones filling the ammunition gap. Russian forces are using smaller groups to avoid detection.

The absence of fixed lines creates a 'deep gray zone' where Russian teams infiltrate and remain hidden. Weather conditions, such as fog, make it difficult to detect drones.

The use of drones has made the supply and evacuation of injured people dangerous, with soldiers forced to travel long distances on foot. Medical points are moved away from the front, while 'video medicine' is used to provide instructions.

Mykola Bielieskov noted the lack of a doctrine to address the new challenges, stressing that this is the secret to the slow Russian advance.