Ararat Mirzoyan and Zhang Ming had private conversation Yerevan State University and Ucom signed a Memorandum of Cooperation Yemen’s Houthi rebels detain at least 9 UN staffers and others in sudden crackdown - AP sources Gevorg Papoyan received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Saha Sinha Actions of Georgian authorities endanger European future of Georgia: Miller World leaders, veterans commemorate 80th anniversary of Normandy landings Borrell invites Katz to discuss EU-Israel relations Azerbaijan visit not planned on Armenia PM agenda, spokesperson says Russia's Gazprom says it'll take it at least 10 years to recover gas sales Ruben Rubinyan and Michael Siebert discussed regional security issues 

In Ukraine's river war, drones mean nowhere is safe

Publications

There are few places from where you can see Russian-occupied territory with the naked eye in Ukraine.

The western bank of the Dnipro river in the city of Kherson is one of them.

You can't see the Russian troops on the other low, marshy riverbank, but you know they're there.

Incoming artillery fire as we arrive at an abandoned building serves as a sharp reminder.

There is nothing new about shelling in war. But the unit we're meeting deals with one of the key innovations of this invasion: drones.

As we hug the side of the building and take cover in the stairwell, we're led inside from the freezing winter winds to the warmth of a militarised living room.

The smell of a strawberry vape hangs above these Ukrainian soldiers, sitting on armchairs with looks of quiet focus and cans of Monster energy drink. You imagine the floral wallpaper wasn't their choice.

Artem, a 20-year-old pilot, suddenly sits up. They're told the Russians have launched drones from across the water.

"It's from a location known to us," explains Tymur, commander of the Samosud squad in Ukraine's 11th National Guard Brigade.

"Our goal is to destroy the pilots. We have the coordinates, so we're flying there right now."

There are at least a dozen drones on the floor - all loaded with grenades. A cat, the unit's unofficial mascot, nuzzles against one of the propellers.

One drone is taken outside as Artem puts on his VR headset.

We watch on the TV as he flies it across the river into occupied territory. From this vantage point, there are no obvious signs of life.

A few kilometres later, Artem's drone arrives at an industrial area. It passes a warehouse before hovering next to a block of flats.

He eventually spots an antenna next to a window in the stairwell, and flies straight into it. The screen turns blue. Artem exhales and removes his headset.

"When we first did this it was emotional," says Artem. "Now this is business as usual."

"I didn't get enough time to play computer games before [the full-scale invasion]. Now I'm catching up!"

They launch another drone but the screen turns blue as soon as it crosses the river. The Russians have turned on their jamming system.

A third then makes the same journey. This time it makes it through, and Artem returns to the block of flats.

He's able to confirm the antenna was destroyed. With 10 minutes of battery life left, he flies off to see what else he can detect, or destroy.

His unit has been targeting a main road which the Russians use to deliver supplies. Civilians are banned from driving there, so the Ukrainian drone pilots hit anything with wheels.

Artem spots a Russian checkpoint and flies towards it. Unfortunately for him, they use a jamming gun and the screen turns blue as he gets close. He exhales again.

"No matter how many times we hit the same places, [the Russians] are constantly replenished," says Tymur. "They're kind of fearless."

With each drone costing around $500 (£396), it's a constant cycle of launch, seek and destroy.

The returns however can be significant. Tymur says his team once destroyed an S-350 air defence missile system worth $136m.

Drones mean the Russians can't hide anywhere within 10km (six miles) of the front line.

But, crucially, the invaders are doing exactly the same to the Ukrainians.

Under constant drone surveillance and enemy bombardment, life has gradually drained from Kherson's streets. Aside from a limited crossing further up the Dnipro near the town of Krynky, Ukrainian attacks here are only probing, and require patience.

Հետևե՛ք -ին Youtube-ում`
When peace treaty is signed, meaning of Minsk Group is lost: Alen SimonyanThere is real race between countries to strengthen sovereignty: PutinArarat Mirzoyan and Zhang Ming had private conversationCentral Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metalsYerevan State University and Ucom signed a Memorandum of CooperationBiden pledges support for Ukraine as he meets with Zelenskiy in ParisYemen’s Houthi rebels detain at least 9 UN staffers and others in sudden crackdown - AP sourcesUkraine has right to strike targets in Russia: StoltenbergSunak admits it was a 'mistake' to leave D-Day commemorations earlyEuropean Commission recommended starting negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on EU membershipBTA. Contact Group Will Discuss Funding Across University SpecialtiesGevorg Papoyan received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Saha SinhaOverchuk and Mustafaev discussed issues related to economic cooperationIsrael's Netanyahu to address U.S. Congress on July 24UN General Assembly elected five non-permanent members of Security Council for next two yearsActions of Georgian authorities endanger European future of Georgia: MillerEuropean Commission plans to open talks on Ukraine's EU membership this month: FTAccording to preliminary data, there were no casualties as a result of gas station explosionArmenia customs attaché to Russia: Upper Lars border checkpoint reopened after being closed for about 5 hoursFood safety inspectorate: Armenia fruit exports to Russia has increased at least twice compared to 2023iPhone 15 will receive updates in a shorter time than the flagships of Samsung and GoogleWe may respond in kind to Western nations that let Kyiv strike Russia with their missiles, PutinCentral Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metalsArmenia border guard injured in mine blast in VoskeparWorld leaders, veterans commemorate 80th anniversary of Normandy landingsRussia could use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or territory was under threat, PutinBorrell invites Katz to discuss EU-Israel relationsAzerbaijan visit not planned on Armenia PM agenda, spokesperson saysFrench police arrest Ukraine-Russia national with explosives near Paris airportFire breaks out at refinery in south Russia after drone attackFour pedestrian bridges built in disaster zone, car bridge under constructionRussia's Gazprom says it'll take it at least 10 years to recover gas salesWe are deeply troubled by the continued arrest of members of Azerbaijani civil society, MillerMacron pays tribute to French city destroyed by Normandy bombingsArmenian Prime Minister thanks Lithuanian counterpart for disaster overcome assistance50 Days until summer Olympics beginRuben Rubinyan and Michael Siebert discussed regional security issuesPrime Minister of Armenia and the President of Finland hold telephone conversationStubb, Pashinyan discuss regional dynamics in South CaucasusWest looking to foster ‘maidan’ in Georgia for October, GaluzinSome EU countries signal increased investments in Armenia - Minister of EconomyExploring the possibility of discovering life on exoplanets: ARMENPRESS exclusive with Michel MayorYerevan to host next meeting of Eurasian Intergovernmental CouncilPashinyan sent a condolence message to Putin over Artur Chilingarov's PassingBlinken announced entire comprehensive review of our policy with respect to Georgia, MillerJake Sullivan and Cagatay Kilic discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan peace processKylian Mbappe signs for Real MadridWe have considerable mutual understanding on several issues, Ararat Mirzoyan on Relations with TurkeyModi’s alliance wins majority in early India vote countOil Prices Down
Most Popular