1,700 Drones Spearhead Ukraine’s Counteroffensive

According to official statements released on Wednesday, the Ukrainian military is making a gradual push in the south while being ready to receive a massive shipment of 1,700 drones for strike and reconnaissance purposes.

Hanna Maliar, Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister, highlighted the country's advancements toward the southern cities of Melitopol and Berdyansk, which are presently occupied.

Russia's large-scale incursion into Ukraine in February 2022 resulted in their control over considerable territory in the southern and eastern parts of the country. Ukraine's counteroffensive to regain this territory began in the summer, albeit progress has been relatively slow due to the deeply entrenched Russian positions.

Maliar also pointed out Ukrainian military “successes” in the southeast, specifically near the village of Staromayorske, part of the Donetsk region that Ukrainian forces recaptured earlier this summer.

She stated, “Battles continue near Staromayorske, our defenders have successes, they were gaining a foothold on the reached frontiers.”

The eastern front saw Ukrainian forces continuing to resist Russian advancements towards Kupiansk and Lyman, territories that Ukraine had freed last year. In addition, Maliar reported that intense fighting continued near Klishchiivka, Kurdyumivka, and Andriivka, situated on the southern flank of Bakhmut. This small city has been turned into a ruin due to ongoing conflicts, currently under Russian control.

Despite receiving consistent military aid from Western allies, Ukrainian military officials reportedly admitted Russia still has the upper hand in terms of artillery, tanks, and manpower.

To balance the scales, Ukraine will soon deploy 1,700 drones on the front lines to bolster their offensive.

Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated, “All of them are now going to the front to protect the lives of our soldiers, to make our artillery even more accurate, to destroy the enemy.”

Ukraine has explored various tactics to neutralize Russian artillery, air defenses, munition warehouses, and logistic routes.

A significant boost in domestic drone production has taken place, and more than 10,000 drone operators have been trained, with an additional 10,000 currently undergoing training, according to Fedorov.