Cheap but lethally accurate: how drones froze Ukraine’s frontlines

Gleb Molchanov, a drone operator shows off a Chinese made Mavic 3 drone. The model can be fitted with grenades and a thermal camera. Photograph: Alessio Mamo/The Guardian

For four months, Russian troops have been trying to seize the eastern Ukrainian village of Synkivka. On a map, this looks easy. Their forward position is on the edge of a forest. It is a mere 500 metres away from the Ukrainian frontline and a shattered collection of cottages.

Every few days the Russians attack. Their forays across open ground end in the same way: complete disaster. Armoured vehicles with men perched on top, speed across a landscape of moon-like craters and splintered trees. Soon it goes wrong. Some blow up on mines; others panic and reverse. The Ukrainians pick off fleeing infantry with drones and artillery. Typically, all the Russians die.