"Can't See Well" Ukraine's Headache Over Soldiers Fleeing Drones in Fear

Russian Troops Face Fierce Drone Counterattacks
Soldiers Isolated Due to Drone Threats
Deployed to Frontlines in 3-4 Day Rotations

Attack scene of the so-called 'Dragon Drone' revealed by the 116th Mechanized Brigade Khorne unit of Ukraine. Incendiary bombs are being dropped for an attack on Russian forces. [Image source=Khorne unit Telegram]

In Ukraine, where casualties are mounting due to Russian drone counterattacks, a 'drone phobia' is spreading among soldiers. The drones, which can appear from anywhere at any time, are triggering fear among the troops, causing some frontlines to be isolated for more than 20 days without even receiving supplies. The number of soldiers engulfed in fear who refuse redeployment to the battlefield or even desert is increasing, causing deep concern for the Ukrainian authorities. The number of soldiers currently under prosecution for unauthorized absence or desertion reaches 20,000.

Surge in Ukrainian Desertions Due to Drone Phobia

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to CNN, the Ukrainian prosecutor's office filed criminal charges against more than 19,000 soldiers in the first half of this year for unauthorized absence and desertion. Considering that the number of mobilized troops in the Ukraine war currently reaches one million, the actual number of deserters is estimated to be much higher. Desertion among Ukrainian soldiers is rapidly increasing as fear of small drones, which are barely visible, reaches its peak.

It is especially known that newer recruits recently deployed to the frontlines, rather than veteran soldiers who have been active since the early stages of the Ukraine war, feel greater fear as they encounter drone attacks more frequently. Most of the recently mobilized soldiers were conscripted under the mobilization order enacted this spring, and they cannot legally leave their posts unless the government lifts the mobilization order or grants special permission.

CNN quoted anonymous Ukrainian officers saying, "New recruits see many enemy drone, artillery, and mortar attacks when they arrive here and realize how difficult the battlefield is. Those who survive here once do not want to return because of fear. They refuse to go into combat or try to find any way to leave the military, including desertion."

Thousands of Suicide Drones and Dragon Drones Flying... Isolated in Trenches for 20 Days

[Image source=TASS Yonhap News]

Recently, the Ukrainian military successfully broke through Russian defensive lines and launched attacks on the mainland using effective drone strikes. However, as the drone attack strategy proved capable of shaking the enemy's formation, Russian drone counterattacks have intensified. Russia has imported large quantities of drones and ballistic missiles from Iran and North Korea and deployed them to the frontlines, with thousands of drones involved in every battle, causing a significant increase in casualties.

Serhiy Chekhotsky, an officer of Ukraine's 59th Independent Mechanized Infantry Brigade, told CNN, "We want to rotate soldiers every 3 to 4 days at the front, but the massive number of drones makes it too dangerous, so rotations are difficult. Some soldiers in certain positions have remained at the front for more than 20 days without relief."

Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, various combat drones have been deployed, including reconnaissance drones, jamming drones to neutralize enemy air defenses, suicide drones equipped with grenades or small bombs, and so-called Dragon Drones that spray incendiary substances to cause large-scale fires. This has made troop movements extremely difficult. Russian drones also regularly attack supply routes, causing the Ukrainian military to struggle with ammunition and food transportation.