Ukraine's drone units are inflicting 80% of the frontline casualties on Russia, report says
Ukraine is increasingly dependent on its drone warfare to stem Russian attacks.
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- Russia is intensifying its attacks against Ukraine's depleted military.
- Ukraine's forces are low on ammunition and equipment.
- Its drone units account for 80% of Russian losses, The New York Times reported.
Ukraine's drone units now account for at least 80% of Russian frontline losses, The New York Times reported.
Commanders in the Ukrainian military told the Times that the Ukrainian military had become increasingly dependent on its drone warfare capabilities amid ammunition and troop shortages.
A dozen troops told the outlet they'd noticed a decrease in the number of rockets fired from US-made HIMARS missile systems being used by Ukraine against Russian forces.
The weapons have a range of around 50 miles and are used to strike targets behind enemy lines.
"HIMARS — I barely hear them at all anymore. They're almost nonexistent," Sgt. Maj. Dmytro, a 33-year-old drone operator and company leader, told the Times.
"If we had more munitions, it could compensate for the lack of people."
The outlet reported that small Ukrainian drone teams had become prized targets for Russia.
Drone pilot Sgt Maj. Vasyl told the outlet that Russia was attacking drone teams using thousand-pound glide bomb munitions that are fired from the air and are usually used to target buildings or defensive positions.
"If they detect a drone operator, everything is thrown at us," he said.
Drones have become a defining element of the war, as has the resulting arms race.
Ukraine's frontline drone units work in small teams, using remotely controlled first-person-view (FPV) drones to surveil and target Russian forces.
They pack drones with explosives, which they then drive into Russian positions or armored vehicles.
Ukraine's drone industry has rapidly expanded during the war. It is developing sophisticated new models and relatively cheap designs for use on the frontlines.
In October, Ukraine exceeded its annual target of producing a million FPV drones for its military, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, told RBC-Ukraine.
At the same time, weapons and ammunition supplies from Ukraine's Western allies have been arriving at the frontline slowly as Ukraine is struggling to recruit more troops.
