LTV report. Drones are a very useful weapon for Ukrainian soldiers near Kherson / Article

The LTV film crew visited the soldiers in Ukraine during training, when they were preparing for tasks at the front.

The role of drones is to protect soldiers

Fields still untouched by greenery and a sharp early spring wind. Soldiers of the Ukrainian army from the 124th brigade are preparing for work at the front. They are in control of drones, a weapon that is so important in this war.

This is a few hours to spend in the field without an enemy. Their field of work is a front that roars several kilometers away. These are the soldiers who guard Kherson, the right bank of the Dnieper River, at a time when the other bank – the left – is occupied by the Russian army.

Today’s task is to lift the drone even in the wind, keep it in control, so that it reaches and destroys the enemy’s target.

The so-called kamikaze drones, many of which in real life never return, this time have imitation charges attached. The takeoff is loud and fast. Also in the real battle, everything has to be as precise and fast as possible.

Drones, as soldiers say, are like an additional army in this war.

“One drone can destroy one target. Which drone and which target is another matter.

But still, they are very important, because one drone destroys one target and protects one of our soldiers,” says the commander of the combat drone command nicknamed “Stitch”.

“Drones are extremely important,” echoes a drone pilot nicknamed “Tatar”.

“Just so you understand – one drone is one projectile. There are times when we launch fifty drones a day against the enemy. We need them extremely. These kamikaze drones.”

Most of the guys who serve in this brigade had a different life before the war and were either mobilized or applied to the army themselves.

His home is now run by occupiers

A soldier nicknamed “Reds” has been working with drones for several years. But in combat conditions – for several months. Before the war he was a car mechanic.

“Enemy pilots are already aiming at us. The most dangerous are air bombs and other heavy weapons attacks on our positions. We try to cover and protect ourselves very little. But there are such weapons that will not hide,” admits “Red”.

For him to be in positions near Kherson is particularly important and at the same time a very difficult task. His house is located on the other bank of the Dnieper River, where the occupiers now farm. “Reds” often see them when taking off drones from this shore.

“I look at them every day. What do I see? Ruins and devastation. Unfortunately. These people, who can hardly even be called people, have never brought anything good.”

Both “Red” and the other soldiers say that everyone has their own motivation to be in the army and to win. And everyone, given previous experience, can be useful. Two years is a long time, and it requires a lot of strength not only physically, but also emotionally.

“We want to get the drones as soon as possible, destroy the enemy and return home to our family,” Tatar says.

Hope to return to normal life

“Reds” hopes for the support of the Western allies so that Ukraine can receive weapons with which to fight against the occupiers.

“We really hope that our partners will listen and help our soldiers who also want to one day return to a normal life, have children, travel the world, their native land, instead of fighting.”

Platoon commander “Stich” also agrees with this.

“We really need more technical means. We need drones. But each drone costs money, and all of this needs funds.”

The direction of Kherson is currently one of the hottest. The Russian army, driven out of the city of Kherson and its surroundings, continues to be nearby and to fire.

The field where the drone pilots train was also formerly occupied by Russia. Traces of trenches made by the occupiers can even be seen here.

And this is another encouragement not to get tired and to fight so that this never happens again and the enemy’s army is not only allowed to cross the river, but driven away from the land of Ukraine forever.