Ukraine War: Two years on, no respite for soldiers in the Donbas

We are in the Donetsk region of the Donbas, in eastern Ukraine. Two years after the start of the Russian invasion, the territory at the heart of the conflict is still gripped by fierce fighting.

Nestled below the ground in a location kept secret, less than 3 kilometres from the frontline, a unit of Ukrainian soldiers, specialised in drone attacks, is preparing a launch on a Russian target.

Yuriy 'Achilles' is the unit’s commander in the 92nd Brigade. He told Euronews that drones have become a key asset in what has become a war of attrition. They cannot however replace artillery, which is desperately lacking resources he says, calling for Ukraine’s international partners to send more military aid, urgently.

“Without artillery and without their ammunition, saving the lives of our soldiers and resisting the enemy will be very difficult” warned 'Achilles'.

Russian technological advances are making the situation increasingly dire on the battlefield. “The rate at which they are scaling up their technology is a lot faster than ours because they have more resources than us”, said Anton, a commander from the Attack Drone Company in the 92nd Brigade.

“Shrapnel wounds from drones are the most common injury we see”, said Artem, an anaesthetist at one of the so-called military stabilisation points where wounded soldiers, coming straight from the frontline, are given emergency care before they are sent to hospital. 

“The drones are shaping the battlefield now and Russians are active throughout the front. Due to our lack of shells, they operate more aggressively, because they know there won't be artillery strikes in retaliation for their moves.”

We joined one of the military medical evacuation units from the Donetsk region on standby.