Eyewitness in Ukraine: The Drone Hunter Unit's Daily Struggle
The war in Ukraine has evolved into a grueling test of endurance, where territorial gains are measured in mere meters rather than miles. In the frozen, scarred landscapes of the Donbas region, the conflict feels endless, with profound implications not only for Ukrainians but for Europe and the global order—challenging whether borders can be altered by force. On the ground, this battle is less about grand strategy and more about a daily fight for survival.
Joining the 117th Brigade's Drone Hunters
We embedded with a unit from the 117th Brigade, tasked with defending one of the most heavily contested areas in Donbas, known as the "fortress belt." Just reaching their positions is a nerve-wracking ordeal, often requiring traversing open ground under constant threat. The landscape is littered with the remnants of war, from burnt-out vehicles to the ever-present buzz of drones filling the sky.
As we moved forward, a drone spotted our position, its detector beeping incessantly. We heard its menacing whir before seeing it, and the deputy commander, along with another soldier, opened fire with assault rifles. Hitting a small, fast-moving target is no easy feat, but for these soldiers, it has become routine. Relief washed over us as the drone plummeted from the sky, but there was no time to celebrate—more drones could follow, and artillery strikes might be imminent.
The Journey to the Unit's Base
The next leg of our journey to the village where the unit is stationed was by quad bike, racing over icy roads. Along the route, smashed Ukrainian vehicles served as stark reminders of the dangers ahead. Overhead, Ukrainian drones tracked our movement, offering a layer of protection in this perilous environment.
Inside their bunker, where they live and plan missions, the soldiers showed us a drone they had shot down that morning. It was cheap, mass-produced, and deadly. Bohdan, commander of the anti-aircraft battery unit, explained the tactics: "In some areas, men use pump-action shotguns because drones fly low, but here, they're higher and faster, so Kalashnikovs are more effective."
Desperate Survival in a Shattered Land
The drones are relentless, and the landscape has been battered by years of conflict. Astonishingly, two civilians, Alexander and his wife, still live in this shattered place, surviving under constant bombardment for four years due to lack of money and options. As we spoke, we took cover from another drone overhead, highlighting the constant danger.
One soldier described their daily rhythm: "It happens two, three times a day: icy roads, sleeper drones, flying drones, and the Russians. Threats come from everywhere within seconds." Life in eastern Ukraine is a desperate fight for survival, where every moment is fraught with peril.
The Secret Bunker: A High-Tech Nerve Center
We were taken to a secret location deep in a forest, where access to the brigade's headquarters is tightly restricted. Descending into a bunker, we entered a labyrinth of screens and monitors, reflecting how this war has transformed into a conflict of microchips and mud. Drones sketch digital kill chains, while soldiers do whatever it takes to endure.
Colonel Dmytro Yaroshenk, commander of the 117th Brigade, noted the profound change: "The war has changed fundamentally. We used to fight 'on horseback'; now we fight in the sky, even taking down helicopters with drones." He showed us footage on a screen of Russian soldiers attempting a probing attack in the mist, only to be spotted by surveillance drones guided by algorithms.
He added, "Logistics are a nightmare because drones are everywhere. If the enemy spots a vehicle, it's likely destroyed quickly." Another image displayed a Russian bunker struck by attack drones, with no survivors emerging—a grim fusion of 21st-century technology and World War I-style trench warfare.
The Broader Implications
This brutal conflict may feel remote to those thousands of miles away, but its implications are far-reaching. After four years of merciless combat, the battle for Donbas is about more than territory; it will help determine whether might makes right in the 21st century and whether international law is enforced or eroded. When the guns finally fall silent, the outcome will shape the kind of world that emerges.
