Drone warfare reshapes tactics on Ukrainian frontlines
FPV drones and the "Baba Yaga" bombings have significantly increased the danger on the battlefield compared to before. This new situation at the front in Ukraine has also necessitated changes in how fortifications are constructed. Here's how the Russians are responding to this drone threat.
There is a lot of footage online showing FPV drone attacks, including instances where drones have even entered dugouts where Russian soldiers were trying to hide. The "Baba Yaga" drones have bombarded trenches using mortar shells.
Ukrainians have a significant advantage over Russians in commercial drones, and for months, these drones have become their main means of combat. It is no surprise, then, that the Russians have started to adapt to these new conditions in various ways. Tanks have appeared with makeshift structures resembling an "armoured barn," and infantry units have been supplemented with drone hunters in the form of soldiers armed with semi-automatic shotguns.
Field fortifications have also needed adjustments for the new conditions. In the photos below, it's evident that all entrances to dugouts are covered with steel mesh designed to detonate an FPV drone prematurely. It's also clear that the Russians are trying to camouflage these entrances better using camouflage nets.
Nets over trenches - they have their pros and cons
Nets at entrances provide a high level of protection if, for example, the dugout corridor isn't directly facing the entrance but is to the side. This way, even in the event of an explosion, people or artillery ammunition inside will be shielded from shrapnel.
On the downside, nets greatly hinder quick entry into or escape from the dugout if necessary. Recordings often show Russian soldiers manning a howitzer frantically trying to hide upon hearing the sound of a drone warning detector.
This primarily applies to dugouts or bunkers because covering open trenches with them makes much less sense. In such cases, for example, the head of an FPV drone explodes in the air, and the net doesn't provide any protection against incendiary weapons. Thermite charges or napalm will be as effective as if the net wasn't there.
