Ukraine Holds the Front, but Alarm Grows Over War in the Sky, - The Economist

Azov"The war in Ukraine is not in a state of a full stalemate, although the situation on the map may give that impression. Along the front line, a struggle of technology, industrial capacity, and adaptation to new conditions continues. The situation becomes especially difficult for Ukraine in long-range warfare, where, according to The Economist, the British publication, Russia enters the winter period with an edge in production and technology.

The author notes that modern drones are increasingly erasing the line between the front and the rear. Directly near the frontline, a so-called kill zone is forming with a width of about 40–80 km. Movement of troops there has become extremely dangerous due to the constant use of FPV drones.

According to one Ukrainian serviceman, Russian soldiers, fearing drone attacks, almost do not use armored vehicles. "Sometimes they advance up to 20 km, carrying everything on their backs, so if they hear a drone, it’s easier for them to hide," he says.

At the same time, drones are used not only directly on the front line. Both sides are trying to penetrate as deeply as possible into the enemy’s rear with them, attacking logistics routes. The publication describes the work of the Ukrainian unit Nemesis, whose operators hunt Russian transport and military targets in the occupied territory.

An important direction becomes the fight to isolate the occupied Crimea. Commander of Ukraine’s unmanned systems forces Robert "Magyar" Brovdi notes that his units are trying to weaken Russian logistics. "Crimea is the jewel in Russia’s crown," he says, describing the significance of the peninsula for Russian forces.

However, Russia is also adapting and developing its own long-range drone operations. As The Economist notes, among the priority targets are railway transports: not only trains with military cargo are hit, but civilian locomotives as well.

An even bigger problem for Ukraine, the author says, is the increase in the reach and scale of Russian missile strikes. Old Shahed drones with piston engines are gradually replaced by faster jet versions, which likely have Chinese engines. Ukrainian ground-based air defenses are increasingly hard-pressed to intercept them. At the same time, Russia is increasing production of ballistic missiles, while Ukraine has limited stocks of American Patriot.

Ukraine is developing its own interception systems, including a project based on a Fire Point company rocket. However, the author notes, creating a full-fledged ballistic missile defense system requires a complex combination of radars, data transmission channels, and guidance systems, so a quick solution should not be expected.

In summary, The Economist characterizes Ukraine’s prospects as ambiguous. On the front line, Ukrainian soldiers state their readiness to hold positions. Interviewees say that under the command of a new, younger commander, Mykhailo Drapaty has changed the situation.

"This is no longer a small Soviet army fighting a large Soviet army," says Oleksiy Hontaruk, former prime minister who now heads the expert council of the Nemesis organization.

Ukrainian soldiers are not afraid of another wave of mobilization in Russia either. However, Ukrainian officers are concerned about the overall course of hostilities across all of Ukraine.

War in Ukraine

As UNIAN reported, Russian occupiers continue massive strikes on Kyiv, which could disrupt food supply systems, the operation of the water pipeline and sewage system by October. Western diplomats and Ukrainian officials warn about the risk of the capital's "fall" and an "absolute hell."

We also reported that on the Sumy or Kharkiv direction, North Korean troops could replace part of the Russian units so they move to support an offensive in the Lyman area. A source connected with the Russian group "North" states that some North Korean officers have already conducted reconnaissance near the border.