Drones Transform Ukraine’s Front Line into Deadly Kill Zones

In eastern Ukraine, the front line has become increasingly perilous due to the extensive use of high-tech drones, turning areas once deemed safe into deadly kill zones. Medics at front-line medical posts face daunting challenges as they struggle to evacuate wounded soldiers amid the threats posed by these advanced drone systems.

The sobering reality is stark. On August 17, 2023, reports emerged from Kyiv detailing the urgent efforts of medics responding to a soldier arriving at a medical post from the Donetsk front. Despite their swift actions, which included chest compressions and commands, the soldier could not be saved. He had succumbed to his injuries before reaching medical assistance. An anesthesiologist from the “Ulf” medical service, Daryna Boiko, explained that the delays in evacuation have become increasingly lethal due to the risks posed by drones.

The situation has evolved significantly since the early months of Russia’s full-scale invasion, when evacuation vehicles could approach closely to the front lines. Now, the proliferation of first-person-view (FPV) drones has shifted the dynamics entirely, creating kill zones extending up to 20 kilometers from the front. Medics report that injuries from drone strikes have replaced gunshot wounds as the primary cause of trauma, complicating evacuation efforts and increasing mortality rates.

Challenges in Evacuation

The growing threat from FPVs has made the task of moving the injured far more complex. The commander of the 59th Brigade medical unit, known by the call sign Buhor, noted that operational difficulties have escalated. “Everything is getting harder,” he stated, emphasizing the need for more mobile operations and heightened safety protocols. The munitions used by these drones are designed to penetrate armored vehicles, resulting in catastrophic injuries from shrapnel and blasts.

Buhor explained that self-aid and self-evacuation have become crucial skills for soldiers in training. The existence of these kill zones means that injured personnel may remain stranded for extended periods, particularly if their wounds are not immediately life-threatening.

Further highlighting the grim reality, Artem Fursov, a 38-year-old soldier injured by a drone explosion on August 4, 2023, described the harrowing experience of having to walk several kilometers to reach medical aid. He arrived at the stabilisation post five days after being wounded, underscoring the dire conditions faced by soldiers. “You can’t even lift your head there. This is already a robot war,” he remarked, reflecting on the overwhelming nature of the conflict.

Shifting Medical Strategies

Buhor has been stationed in the Pokrovsk area since late 2022, where the team has had to relocate their stabilisation points seventeen times due to the shifting front lines. Each retreat complicates the evacuation process, as medical teams must move further back, extending the journey for the wounded. The risk increases as evacuation routes become longer, which can be fatal for critically injured soldiers.

Boiko noted a significant change in the nature of injuries treated at their facility. In the winter months, when they were still stationed in Pokrovsk, gunshot wounds were common. Now, the injuries are predominantly caused by drone attacks, indicating a shift in the type of warfare being fought.

To mitigate risks, medical teams employ various strategies, including limiting movement, using camouflage, and equipping vehicles with electronic warfare systems. Crew members venture out only in full protective gear, highlighting the precariousness of their mission. “We try to safeguard both ourselves and the wounded,” Boiko explained. “If we have to move farther back, the evacuation route becomes longer, which can be fatal for those in critical condition.”

As the conflict continues, the presence of drones on the battlefield has drastically altered the landscape of warfare in Ukraine, presenting new challenges for medical personnel and increasing the urgency of evacuations. The situation remains fluid, with the safety of soldiers and medics hanging in the balance as they navigate this new reality.