COP29 in Baku is also an opportunity to work for a brighter future in the Southern Caucasus: Foreign Ministry of Germany We stand for continuation of contacts between Baku and Yerevan: Peskov Post installed on the border is the cornerstone of Armenia's territorial integrity - Prime Minister Armenia and Italy discuss military cooperation Heads of Russian Gazprom and Azerbaijani SOCAR discussed cooperation in gas sector Grand Indian Wedding at Seven Visions, The Dvin Aliyev and Scholz to discuss issues related to foreign policy, economy and energy At suggestion of Kazakh side, we will inform about date of possible meeting of Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan: Ani Badalyan Suren Papikyan welcomed a delegation led by the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan France PM: Armenia has endured, it is writing the future of itself and its people 

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`
Armenian Foreign Ministry sends congratulations to South Africa on Freedom DayCOP29 in Baku is also an opportunity to work for a brighter future in the Southern Caucasus: Foreign Ministry of GermanySpain expressed readiness to continue military and humanitarian support to KyivGold pocket watch recovered from body of richest passenger on Titanic up for auctionWe stand for continuation of contacts between Baku and Yerevan: PeskovPost installed on the border is the cornerstone of Armenia's territorial integrity - Prime MinisterDina Titus submits bill on sanctions against Azerbaijan to US CongressBelgium may deliver first F-16 jets to Ukraine8800 mAh battery, 2.4K IPS screen, thermal imager: Blackview has introduced a new ultra-durable smartphoneArmenia ruling force MP: Tavush-Gazakh sector border delimitation process technically completedMFA spox: Armenia received Azerbaijan proposals regarding ‘peace treaty’ draftRussia MP: I’m ashamed of my colleagues' assessments of events in KarabakhArmenia parliament receives Valentina Matviyenko's letter regarding Alen Simonyan's remarksBaku described resolution of European Parliament related to human rights in Azerbaijan as 'one-sided and groundless'Armenia and Italy discuss military cooperationPM: We are resolving matter of Armenia’s existence in coming decadesHeads of Russian Gazprom and Azerbaijani SOCAR discussed cooperation in gas sector'Negative' factors building in US-China ties, foreign minister Wang tells BlinkenJoint Russia-Turkey monitoring center closing in KarabakhTasks of Russian-Turkish joint monitoring center are considered completed: ValiyevRussian-Turkish joint monitoring center closed in AghdamGrand Indian Wedding at Seven Visions, The DvinAliyev and Scholz to discuss issues related to foreign policy, economy and energyUSA started providing new military package to KyivAt suggestion of Kazakh side, we will inform about date of possible meeting of Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan: Ani BadalyanCivil disobedience actions resume in Yerevan in the morningDeputy FM, US officials discuss assistance to be provided to ArmeniaNewspaper: Armenia ruling political team also afraid of prospect of return of Azerbaijani ‘refugees’Chile Chamber of Deputies recognizes Armenian Genocide, Turkey protestsMher Grigoryan, Iran envoy discuss latest developments in Armenia-Azerbaijan state border delimitationWhat risks are hidden in keyboards of Android smartphones?Parliament speaker: There is no Armenia settlement under Azerbaijan controlCentral Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals20 border posts installed on Armenia-Azerbaijan borderSuren Papikyan welcomed a delegation led by the Head of the Council of Europe Office in YerevanArmenia parliament speaker: Buying natural gas from Azerbaijan is very good optionOverchuk: Russia awaits Armenia's Pashinyan at EAEU summit in MoscowHamas official says group would lay down its weapons if a two-state solution is implemented, APRussia MFA spox comments on Putin's words regarding Karabakh’s statusMFA spox: Russia has always perceived the Armenian Genocide as its own pain, misfortuneArmenia to open consulate general in Iran's TabrizFrance PM: Armenia has endured, it is writing the future of itself and its peoplePeople block Yerevan-Sevan, Yerevan-Meghri motorways alsoIsrael says poised to move on Rafah, ReutersWe must act now to hold Azerbaijan accountable - Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Spain's prime minister halts public duties as wife faces inquiryArmenia parliament not received any letter from Russia, legislature speaker's spox saysKuwait welcomes start of Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitationImportant step towards concluding a durable and dignified peace, US State Department on Armenia-Azerbaijan border agreementBorder residents of Armenia’s Tavush Province close off Kirants village bridge
Most Popular