Exclusive: Inside Ukraine’s offensive in the East
Two Ukrainian soldiers control a drone in the darkness, preparing to strike a Russian target.
“We will be hitting their first line and our guys will be advancing on the enemy,” says one of the drone pilots.
Equipped with Western night-vision equipment, Ukrainian ground troops have the advantage in night-time operations.
But their ground attack aircraft are not suited for the dark, so the drone unit nicknamed “Code 9.2” steps up.
“The drones see in the night like in daylight,” explains one of the pilots.
Using Ukrainian-made ‘Vampire’ unmanned aerial vehicles, the drones drop bombs on Russian positions.
Videos recorded by the drones show them destroying Russian armored vehicles, including a modern T-90 tank.
Ukrainian drone pilots are able to see their targets through their controllers, even at night, with the help of night vision.
As the drone attack intensifies, other units join the battlefield.
Powerful artillery, US-donated cluster munitions, and mortar units rain down on Russian positions.
Infantry fighting vehicles race to the front to storm Russian lines.
Code 9.2 commander, call sign ‘Flint’, says this operation has been weeks in the making.
“It’s a combined assault,” he explains, designed to build up on recent gains in the area.
Ukraine aims to reach the Black Sea and cut off Russia’s supply route to Crimea.
While much attention has been on the South, Ukrainian forces have been retaking territory in the East.
“We are breaking through their line of defense here and we are hitting them well,” says one of the drone pilots.
The Russian mercenary group Wagner has returned to the area, compensating for personnel shortages.
“It’s a slow grind – a war of attrition,” says commander ‘Flint’.
With less advanced equipment, Ukrainian forces rely on tactics and strategy to outmaneuver the enemy.
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