Dodging the drones: Aerial attackers stalk Ukrainian troops, and a CNN team, on a key road to the front

Dodging the drones: Aerial attackers stalk Ukrainian troops, and a CNN team, on a key road to the front

The front line’s relentless challenge

Dodging the drones – The “Road of Life” – a critical artery stretching between Druzhkivka and Kostyantynivka – is a stark reminder of the war’s brutal reality. This stretch of asphalt, riddled with craters and littered with the remnants of vehicles charred by Russian airstrikes, is not just a pathway but a battlefield. Its name, once a symbol of hope, now echoes the grim struggle for survival. Ukrainian forces, frequently drained from prolonged sieges, rely heavily on foot travel through the area, their movements dictated by the ever-present threat of aerial strikes.

The war in Ukraine has been transformed by the dominance of drones, which now dictate the rhythm of combat. For troops stationed in the so-called “kill zone” – a stretch of land extending miles into the front – every step taken in the open is a gamble. The only refuge from Russia’s relentless aerial assaults is the dense foliage, where they can conceal themselves or, if necessary, take aim at the sky. Armor, once a shield, has become a liability, as drones target vehicles with surgical precision. Clusters of soldiers, too, are vulnerable, forcing them to scatter and avoid being an easy mark.

A drone-streaked journey

As part of a CNN team embedded with Ukrainian forces, we ventured along this perilous route, accompanied by Kosta, Sasha, and Bohdan from the 24th Mechanized Brigade. What was intended as a brief walk turned into a harrowing five-hour trek, punctuated by at least 14 drone strikes or near misses. The first attack came swiftly, disrupting the quiet as a pair of tanks maneuvered through the road. A low hum in the air signaled the drones’ approach, followed by the sharp crack of gunfire. The woodland and nearby structures, once dormant, erupted into activity as Ukrainian troops emerged from cover to engage the aerial threat.

Our escorts, quick to react, directed us toward a courtyard for shelter. Amid the chaos, the team’s focus shifted from the distant sky to the immediate danger. Sasha and Kosta, more confident in the open, took turns firing at the drones, their shots echoing against the backdrop of the overcast sky. One of their shots struck a target nearly 500 feet away, the drone’s explosive payload splashing onto the road’s surface. “We have to keep moving,” Kosta urged, his voice steady but urgent. “Others may follow.” The constant barrage of drone attacks has redefined the front lines, turning traditional tactics on their head.

The art of evasion

Dodging drones has become a matter of survival, demanding split-second decisions. Protective netting, designed to intercept enemy projectiles, now acts as a barrier that restricts movement. Troops must navigate these nets with care, often cutting through them to reach safer ground. When a drone is detected, the instinct is to scatter, with individuals fleeing in opposite directions to reduce the risk of being targeted. “Being alone makes you less interesting to a Russian pilot,” Sasha noted, his words underscored by the tension in the air.

As we pressed on, the drone’s persistent hum grew familiar, blurring the line between reality and paranoia. The team’s senses remained alert, even as the initial shock of the attacks faded. “It’s hard to tell if the buzz is your ears or imagination,” Bohdan remarked, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The psychological toll of constant aerial threats is evident, with every drone noise triggering a primal response. Yet, the urgency to move forward overrides the need for reflection. A drone flies directly above our heads, its shadow casting a cold spell over the group. Sasha’s rifle, aimed at a distance, and Bohdan’s shotgun, readied for close combat, bring the attacker down in a calculated exchange. The damaged propellers spin eerily as the drone plummets, sending our escorts diving for cover. Despite the impact, the device crashes into the asphalt without detonating, its purpose left ambiguous – was it a recon mission, or a direct strike?

Survival amid destruction

Passing through the wreckage, we encountered the aftermath of a previous drone strike: the charred remains of a pickup truck, a casualty two days prior. One of the unit’s lieutenants, Roman, lay among the debris, his life lost to the relentless assault. The road, a witness to countless tragedies, now carries the weight of both physical and emotional scars. “The hell here is greater than anything I’ve seen,” said a weary soldier, his supplies transported by a small robotic vehicle. Some soldiers shield their faces with grimy hands, as if trying to obscure the truth from the camera.

At our destination, a bunker just minutes from our starting point, Sasha and Bohdan paused for tea and water. The sanctuary offered a brief respite, but the unease lingered. Inside, Afina – a 25-year-old technical operator – manned her station, her callsign a symbol of the frontline’s evolving demands. “This road is a test of endurance,” she said, her voice a mix of resolve and exhaustion. The war has shifted from tank battles to a new era of aerial dominance, with drones dictating the pace and outcome of skirmishes. Ukraine, though outmatched in size, finds fleeting advantage in this technological shift, as the enemy’s focus on vehicles and equipment allows for moments of maneuverability.

A new frontier in warfare

The dominance of drones has reconfigured the very nature of conflict. What was once a ground-based battle now includes the sky as a theater of war. Soldiers, once able to rely on numbers for safety, must now disperse to avoid detection. The front lines, once defined by trenches and fortifications, are now a patchwork of improvised defenses and calculated risks. “This is not how war used to be,” Kosta said, his words reflecting the transformation. The challenge lies not just in avoiding the drones but in adapting to their presence, a reality that has reshaped the tactics and psyche of every Ukrainian unit.

Yet, for all the danger, the Road of Life remains a lifeline. Its existence is a testament to the resilience of Ukrainian forces, who continue to hold the line despite the relentless drone attacks. The CNN team’s five-hour ordeal, marked by explosions and near misses, underscores the intensity of the conflict. As we left the bunker, the hum of drones lingered in the air, a constant reminder that the war is far from over. The balance of power may shift, but for now, the “Road of Life” stands as a symbol of both survival and the evolving face of warfare in Ukraine.

“Russia’s winning streak in Ukraine is over,” Sasha muttered, his tone a mix of determination and exhaustion. The drones, once an unrelenting force, have now become a double-edged sword – a threat that forces innovation, yet a burden that keeps the front lines in flux.