Its become an almost daily routine for Ukraines elite drone units working along the eastern front: Catching on camera groups of ill-prepared Russian ground troops and vehicles venturing forward.
Once theyre sighted, its usually a matter of minutes or seconds until the Ukrainian drones blow them up, say the technicians operating the joysticks.
They are hunting us; we are hunting them, said Ukrainian drone unit soldier Maks, speaking to RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service. Drone operators are a priority target as they are the most effective combat units that inflict the most losses.
Estimates by Ukrainian commanders suggest that up to 70 percent of Russias current deaths and casualties are due to drone attacks.
The drone operators in Ukraines 30th Prince Kostyantyn Ostrozkiy Mechanized Brigade, working in the Donetsk region, say they place a high priority on targeting their Russian counterparts.
They also play a key role in supporting the Ukrainian infantry and in fending off assaults by Russian troops.
