Indian Strategic Studies: Ukrainian Commander’s Exclusive Insights On Brutal Drone Warfare On The Frontline
AI Analysis
The Ukrainian National Guard's 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov has significantly expanded its drone capabilities, deploying a wide range of UAVs in the Toretsk region. Commander 'Yas' provides insights into the evolving drone warfare tactics, including the use of fixed-wing SETH drones and challenges with Russian tactics.
Key Takeaways
- Ukrainian National Guard's 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov has increased its drone fleet.
- Deployment includes FPV and heavy bomber drones in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast.
- New fixed-wing SETH drones are being utilized in combat.
- Russia's new battlefield tactics are impacting drone operations.
- Concerns about the use of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) with lethal capabilities.
Why It Matters
The expansion of drone capabilities by Ukrainian forces highlights the increasing role of UAVs in modern warfare, particularly in contested regions like Donetsk. Understanding the tactical shifts and technological advancements in drone warfare can inform future military strategies and counter-UAS measures globally.
Indian Strategic Studies: Ukrainian Commander’s Exclusive Insights On Brutal Drone Warfare On The Frontline
[Source Link]
Last October, the [First Corps Azov Brigade] of the Ukrainian National Guard saw the need to increase the number of drones it had and people to operate them. So it created the [12th Special Forces Brigade Azov] of the Ukrainian National Guard’s Unmanned Systems Battalion. It now has several hundred troops and tens of thousands of drones ranging from [first-person view] (FPV) variants to [heavy ‘bomber’ types]. They are fighting in and around Toretsk,
a now-destroyed city in Donetsk Oblast where some of the war’s fiercest battles are taking place. In a deeper dive into our [nearly two-hour exclusive interview], the commander of this battalion, callsign “Yas,” shared new details about the ever-evolving use of drones in combat.
Yas addressed a huge range of issues. He told us about what is working and what is not, Russia’s new battlefield tactics, the problem with ‘ [dragon drones],’ how they are putting their new fixed-wing SETH drones to use,
how combat is morphing to war between robots, and why he is wary of operating unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) that are equipped with the ability to kill. The questions and answers have been slightly edited for clarity.
You can catch up with his insights on the pros and cons of fiber-optic controlled FPV drones in our recent piece linked [here].