'Drones, drones, drones': Ukrainian soldier, medic speak of threat from the air in Eastern Ukraine

Record ID: 1987945

  • Title: 'Drones, drones, drones': Ukrainian soldier, medic speak of threat from the air in Eastern Ukraine
  • Date: 3rd April 2025
  • Summary: DNIPROPETROVSK REGION, UKRAINE (APRIL 2, 2025) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF WOUNDED UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS ABOARD MEDICAL EVACUATION BUS VARIOUS OF MEDIC FROM 'HOSPITALIERS' AID ORGANISATION CARING FOR SOLDIER UKRAINIAN FLAG IN BACKGROUND VARIOUS OF SOLDIER HOLDING ONTO WINDOW BAR BUS DRIVER ROAD SEEN FROM MOVING VEHICLE WITH AMBULANCE LEADING WAY CROSS AND BIRD-SHAPED FIGURE HANGING
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Donetsk Eastern Ukraine FPV Pokrovsk Russia ceasefire drone
  • Location: DNIPROPETROVSK REGION, UKRAINE
  • City: DNIPROPETROVSK REGION, UKRAINE
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe,Military Conflicts
  • Reuters ID: LVA001374302042025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Ukrainian soldiers on a medical evacuation bus were treated for injuries sustained from drone attacks on Wednesday (April 2).
    As they drove through Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, a medical team bandaged wounded soldiers with supplies from the onboard stores.
    Among the numerous threats faced by the soldiers daily, first-person view (FPV) drones pose a significant challenge. These remotely-controlled, explosives-laden commercial drones have become prevalent on the battlefield.
    A soldier and a medic agreed that drones pose a "significant problem" for Ukrainian forces.
    “The more drones buzz over your head, the less you can do. Sometimes you can’t even take up a firing position,” Said Ivan, 35, who uses call-sign ‘Atom’, a platoon commander.
    "I would say 50% of warfare is accounted by FPV drones and the majority of injuries are by FPV (first person view) drones. We also have a lot of cases where soldiers have concussions and difficult injuries, and they hear certain noises like a buzz noise and they think it's FPV," Olga Kozum, a 34-year-old volunteer with the Hospitaliers aid organisation that provided the bus explained.
    ‘Atom’ said ceasefire talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia have not had any impact on him and his fellow soldiers on the frontlines.
    “They (sides) have been talking since the 10th (March). The boys entered positions on the 13th or on the 12th. They haven’t felt the talks in any way,” He said.
    U.S. officials have in recent days tried to broker both a ceasefire for energy infrastructure and for the Black Sea. The deals have not yet been implemented.
    Despite initially agreeing to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine and Russia have continued to attack each other. And while Kyiv has said it is ready to agree to a Black Sea deal, Russian officials have said Moscow first needs restored access to certain trade markets and payment systems.
    (Production: Manuel Ausloos, Andrii Pryimachenko)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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