As the conflict in Ukraine enters its third year, Russia is on the offensive, while Ukraine is running low on ammunition as additional aid from the United States remains blocked by Congress, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Ukraine tries to hold Russia back
As artillery ammunition runs low, Kyiv's frontline forces are improvising and using FPV drones carrying explosives in the hope of "holding back" the Russians, waiting for aid from allies.
Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation, confirmed that the country is increasing its use of FPVs due to a "lack of ammunition".
A Ukrainian FPV operator in Dnipro province in May 2023
According to analysis from experts, each FPV costs only a few hundred dollars. This is much lower than the cost of each artillery shell. In addition, FPV production is also easier. Many sponsors have ordered this vehicle model and delivered them to soldiers on the front lines.
These vehicles are remotely controlled by soldiers. They are said to have much more precise targeting capabilities than artillery, allowing operators to follow the vehicle or, while on the move, hit targets hidden in bunkers and trenches.
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While artillery often needs multiple shots to hit its target, FPVs are almost always accurate.
Moreover, while many Ukrainians do not have high hopes for FPVs, soldiers fighting around the village of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia Oblast) say they are changing the front lines. Because large armored vehicles are expensive and easy to spot, both sides have limited their use on the front lines and have begun to rely instead on trucks and even motorcycles.
Weaknesses of FPV
However, during combat, the FPV revealed some weaknesses.
Accordingly, although FPVs are cheap, there is still a limit to the number that can be used. The reason is that Ukraine's control force is limited, plus Russia often jams the radar system, making deployment difficult.
An FPV and additional equipment seen in May 2023 at the Ukrainian crew training facility in Zhytomyr Oblast
Furthermore, the lack of artillery support was also a disadvantage, a soldier named Tulayne, commander of the Ukrainian FPV control team, told The Wall Street Journal .
While FPVs are effective against infantry and vehicles, they cannot travel as far or as fast as artillery. Sometimes, by the time they reach their destination, the target is gone. FPVs also cannot carry enough explosives to destroy fortifications that artillery shells can penetrate.
As a result, the grey zone (the area between trenches that neither side controls) has grown larger, making it more difficult to advance, according to soldiers in the area.
To address some of these weaknesses, in addition to seeking foreign arms funding, Ukraine is ramping up production of FPVs. New efforts include building some types capable of carrying larger ammunition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also set a target of producing 1 million drones next year in late December 2023.
Ukrainian soldiers admit Russian UAVs are superior in both quantity and quality
Meanwhile, Russia is also said to be trying to make the most of its resource advantage and build up its own FPV army. “In the last few weeks, their use of FPV drones has increased three or fourfold. Their artillery is doing well. They have an advantage in aerial reconnaissance,” Commander Tulayne said.
Moreover, Moscow has a large stockpile of towed self-propelled field guns of various calibers, according to the Eurasian Times.
Although Mr. Tulayne said Russia had not gained any additional territory in the Robotyne region where his platoon was operating, The Wall Street Journal reported that Moscow controlled much of the surrounding area.
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