Ukrainian troops are still aggressively rotating forces in and out of the frontlines. The human toll from the ongoing violent conflict in the region is devastating. Among them is Oleksandr, a 37-year-old career soldier whose unit has endured 38 days at the front line. Their return overlaps with the relief of a drone crew and infantry squad. This is a strategic pivot across Ukraine’s long, 750-mile-wide front.
The soon-to-be outgoing infantry squad, including soldiers Solodenkyi and Pavuk, is due for relief after a month long deployment. These troops in the immediate term will soon be returning home to rest and recuperate before another series of rotations starts going in before Christmas. Soldiers on the frontline range in age from 20 to 32, reflecting a youthful demographic that faces the harsh realities of warfare.
During their 38 days in the field, Oleksandr’s team documented Ukrainian army units encountering “no contact” with Russian troops. This time of suspected peace stands in stark relief to the ideas of the past, when deployments were almost a daily occurrence. The risks remain high. Just the other day, a Russian drone winged in while Estonian, a 34-year-old ski troop, was running on his approach only 700 meters from his start point.
This is where drone operators can help. Drone operators are essential for situational awareness. They must be tasked with seeking reconnaissance purposes and implementing penetrative attack missions immediately against Russian infiltrators. Meet Jesus, a 22-year-old drone pilot who has just finished his first grueling 14-day frontline tour. He flies Chinese-made Mavic quadcopters in coordination with his fellow drone pilots, Dark and Oleksandr. To maintain focus and prevent operator fatigue, the drone crew rotates every two weeks, providing sharp operators to keep a watchful eye over this vital territory.
With little preparation, the drone pilots are often put to work 24 hours a day if their zone is threatened. Their partnership is critical to mission success. They frequently work in pairs to increase safety and effectiveness. This cooperative journaling process enables them to stay tuned to enemy troop movements and still work through tiredness.
As dawn breaks, the soldiers prepare to move to their dugouts where they will spend the next 10 to 12 days. They cover their state under what’s referred to as “grey weather,” a period marked by dark and usually wet or rainy flipping conditions. This new tactic allows them to elude detection by Russian drones with thermal cameras.
Military personnel now use power banks to charge their equipment while on the front. This ensures their devices stay functional, even when facing the harshest elements. The physical toll of their assignments is significant, as highlighted by Oleksandr’s comment:
“a shower and rest – we will have as much rest as they will give us.”
And yet, even with all of the challenges they’re up against, these infantrymen are unwaveringly committed to their mission. The warmth and closeness between them is rad and palpable. Now, Solodenkyi, whose call sign translates as sweet, seeks to ensure that even in the ugliest of wars, laughter may punctuate a daunting day.