VOICES FROM THE TRENCH ⟩ "The Frontline Doesn’t Change, But the Nature of War Does"

Photo: Jaanus Piirsalu

2nd July 2024, 07:55

Ukrainian air defense soldiers discuss how their warfare has changed over more than two years.

"Everything changes very quickly. Today, we do nothing like what our tasks were at the start of the full-scale Russian invasion," said 57-year-old Oleksandr, with the military call sign Druid.

At the beginning of the war, he and his comrade and friend, 49-year-old Andrii, with the call sign Mor, hunted Russian army helicopters, which now no longer dare to fly over the front line. Their primary task now is hunting Russian reconnaissance drones to protect Ukrainian unit equipment.

Both men were contract soldiers in Ukraine's 38th Missile Regiment even before the full-scale war began on February 24, 2022. Initially, they defended the capital, Kyiv, with their battery. Since the spring of 2022, they have been fighting in the Kherson direction in southern Ukraine.

Air Threats Vary Over Time

In the beginning, they used shoulder-fired missiles (American Stingers, Polish Piruns, and Soviet-era Iglas) to protect Ukrainian units near Kyiv from primarily Russian helicopter attacks, as well as Russian aircraft attacks. After a significant number of Russian helicopters and aircraft were shot down around Kyiv and northern Ukraine, the Russian army moved them further from the front line.

The next stage in Druid and Mor’s work was defending Ukraine's critical infrastructure with the same Stingers and Piruns against Shaheed drones and Russian cruise missiles. "Anything that flies low like Kalibrs, KH-555, KH-59, KH-101 can be shot down with portable missile systems," said Druid, whose tied-up beard fully justifies his call sign. Druids were ancient Celtic priests.

Ballistic missiles like the Russian army’s Iskanders and Kinzhals fly too high to be intercepted by Stinger missiles.

Today, Druid and Mor's job in the Kherson region is to detect Russian reconnaissance drones searching for Ukrainian military equipment. Compared to 2022, the Russian army has developed a very fast missile strike capability when reconnaissance drones identify a valuable target.

"They primarily look for Western military equipment," said Mor. "If they find something, then their S-300 or Iskander follows very quickly. When we detect one of their reconnaissance drones in an area, we immediately pass that information on so our equipment can quickly leave the area."

War of Constant Modification

"About a third of their reconnaissance drones are detected by our radars, but radars can't see anything flying below 100 meters," Druid added to Mor’s explanation. "Our task is to detect those that radars cannot see."

According to Druid, their primary objective is not to shoot down the reconnaissance drone but to warn units so they can move their equipment.

To detect Russian drones at low altitudes, Druid and Mor use homemade tools, which they claim can detect drones 10-15 kilometers away. Mor showed me this tool but asked not to photograph or even describe it. "We order the necessary parts and assemble them ourselves," he explained.

"We have been given Western weapons against drones, but they don't work in this war. They are simply outdated," Mor said. "Drone frequencies have changed, drones are constantly being improved, but Western anti-drone weapons have not kept up. At least not the ones we have received."

According to Druid, electronic warfare is getting tougher. "Both sides have a lot of smart people constantly modifying drones and their countermeasures," he said. "Whoever spots and quickly counteracts the enemy drones has a better chance of saving their soldiers' lives and equipment."

Druid summarized the war: "The front line doesn’t change much, but the nature and intensity of the war are constantly changing."

Psychologist Ferret

The Ukrainian 38th Missile Regiment has its own mascot—a ferret named Stinger.

"He doesn't bite anymore," said Stinger's owner, Aleksei (42), laughing as he held the ferret in his arms. Stinger was moderately calm while being held, showing no intention of escaping. He’s already used to the soldiers. On a daily basis, the ferret boy lives in a large cage that the soldiers carry with them when they move.

Aleksei found the ferret pup last fall in the Kherson region, at former Russian army positions. Since the ferret's mother was nowhere to be found, Aleksei took him in and raised him.

"Now he has become our regiment's symbol," said the regiment's press officer, Yaroslav.

According to his owner, the ferret plays a special role among the soldiers. "He's our psychologist," praised the soldier, noting that the ferret's favorite foods are chicken and fish. "Taking care of him really helps us take our minds off things."

The ferret was named Stinger in recognition of the regiment’s specialization. One of the primary weapons of the air defenders is the portable Stinger missile.

Terms

Ukraine war