DONBAS, Ukraine — Ukrainians are fighting smarter, using technology like tiny drones that can destroy hundreds of tanks. Their strategy is paying off. Russian forces withdrew in the face of a fierce counterattack that recaptured key areas of Kharkiv Oblast.
Ukraine’s success is due in part to military aid sent by the West and technology provided by private donors.
Ukrainians hope that their army’s counteroffensive in the east could signal a turning point in the war. The ongoing operation was so successful that the Ukrainian army captured more territory in five days than the Russians captured in the last five months.
Ambassador Oksana Markarova said: “This operation was possible because of the determination of the armed forces, because our commanders from the president to every commander on the battlefield are so committed to victory.”
The city of Kharkiv has been subjected to daily artillery attacks for months. This city of millions is now relatively empty, and those who remain live in constant fear of death from a Russian missile.
Now the surrounding villages are feeling hopeful as Ukrainian troops push back the invaders.
Until now, Russia had a huge advantage in tanks and artillery. But the Ukrainians have figured out how to turn serial technology into a force multiplier, making a commercial drone nearly equal to a Russian tank in combat power.
Ukrainian paratrooper Oleksandyr said: “One of our soldiers with technology is stronger than maybe 10 or 20 soldiers from Russia.”
If you were not familiar with warfare, you could say that there is heavy fighting going on in this area where we are in a place called Pisky, in the southern part of Donetsk province. And while artillery fire was almost constant for the several hours CBN News was in the area, it doesn’t necessarily qualify as a pitched battle.
It’s because the Russians are just firing cannons almost all day, all night. They have an almost unlimited supply. But they’re not really making any gains, and that’s because the Ukrainians are fighting smarter. And that way they can hold off the Russians even though the Russians outnumber them about 50 to one.
Oleksandyr told us: “Technology now, it’s good. When you have a mobile phone and you can fight with technology. That helps us win.”
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A Russian tank costs about $4.5 million to manufacture, while a standard drone costs just over $1,000. Since these small drones are responsible for destroying hundreds of tanks, they are invaluable to these Ukrainian paratroopers.
The commander of the Ukrainian Airborne Forces, who goes by the nickname “Bear”, told us: “Rather than directly fighting Russian tanks, we use drones to identify enemy positions and then pass this information to our long-range artillery air force to destroy them. All we need is more ammunition. If we have enough ammunition, the enemy will not stand a chance.”
Many of these drones and internet systems have been donated through the kindness of individuals to crowdfunding projects. For these soldiers, who have been fighting non-stop since the start of the war, it brings hope that they can soon return to their loved ones.
Bear explained, “I tell my girls, ‘I love you so much, that’s why I’m staying here.’ My oldest daughter said, “Dad, did they shoot you?” and I said, ‘No, the Russians don’t have the budget for that this year.'”
Oleksandyr said: “I am absolutely sure that we will win, but maybe not this month, maybe not at the end of this year, but it will be as soon as possible.”
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