A new stage of the war has begun in Ukraine: what to expect

Even in remote positions, a mistake can lead to fatal consequences. The new conditions of the war in eastern Ukraine have significantly transformed the army’s strategies, logistics, and the concept of the rear, the Financial Times notes.

According to the publication, within a few dozen minutes of leaving Russian positions, any activity can become life-threatening. Helicopters regularly fly over the territory, and fiber-optic cables are laid across the fields to control technical equipment and drones.

“The military moves in pickup trucks with metal frames to reduce the risk of damage. The infrastructure in the front-line areas is adapting to new threats. For example, in Kherson, protective nets are stretched over hospitals and roads, creating a kind of air defense against possible attacks,” the authors note.

Closer to the front line, normal movements are almost absent. The military often takes up positions at night, uses anti-thermal cloaks, or waits for dense fog. Food and equipment are supplied using drones, and sometimes the evacuation of the wounded is handled by robotic systems.

“The war has changed dramatically. And every month, the danger zone is expanding. Europeans still cannot realize this,” shared his thoughts on the situation, Taras Chmut, a veteran of the Marine Corps, describing the zone as a “death zone”.

In the new combat conditions, FPV drones play an important role, as they can accurately track the enemy’s movements and hit them. Because of this, conventional transport has practically disappeared from near the front line. Iryna Rybakova, a representative of the 93rd Kholodny Yar Brigade, noted that it is almost impossible to use transport in the nearest combat zones.

In addition, the front has become a testing ground for modern combat technologies and countermeasure systems. Electronic warfare systems are actively used to jam drone signals. In response, Russian forces are using drones with long fiber-optic cables that are immune to radio interference.

“Classic armored vehicles have practically disappeared. The army is increasingly using simple defensive solutions: armed pickup trucks, drone interception nets, and other improvised methods,” the publication concludes.