Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Conversation
The Conversation
Politics
Marina Miron, Post-doctoral Researcher, King's College London

Ukraine and Russia claim to be prepared for extremes of winter warfare – here's what they face

As the bitter cold of winter settles in and average temperatures range between -4.8 and 2°C, both Ukrainian and Russian troops are preparing for a new phase of the war.

Freezing temperatures, which can sometimes drop as low as -20°C, can hamper the performance of weapons and equipment. Ammunition can lose responsiveness and accuracy, meaning more is required. Wear and tear of equipment increases and battery life decreases, leading to increased maintenance, which is also more difficult in wintertime.

Drones, especially smaller ones such as the DJI Mavic series which Ukrainian troops are using, become harder to operate in low temperatures and wind or snow, reducing surveillance capabilities.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.