Drone thermal footage of infantrymen of Ukraine’s 58th Brigade conduct a night assault of a Russian defensive position, probably on the southern front along the Urozhaine axis. UA troops approach the trench system from the top left of screen and begin clearing with small arms. A Russian soldier can be seen exiting the trench and connected dugouts at the bottom of the screen. Others decide not to leave and attempt to engage the Ukrainians from their fighting positions with rifle fire. One Russian attempts to escape to the right of the frame while Ukrainian grenades eliminate resistance at the bottom of the screen with grenades. Another Russian manages to escape from the contested dugout at the bottom of the screen while Ukrainians attempt to flank a section of the defensive network at top left.

At 2:08, two Russian emerge from the far right side of the trench network and begin engaging each other, first with rifles and then with grenades. Both are wounded, and one crawls off screen to the right. There is a time jump, and two Ukrainian soldiers use a grenade to eliminate a Russian in a dugout at, screen right. A Russian attempting to escape to the right is engaged with an RPG by Ukrainians on the left. The Ukrainians take fire from below the trench system and conduct a fighting withdrawal. The action is reminiscent of trench raids of the Great War, and highlights both the confusion that can occur during night action, and the effectiveness of Ukrainian employment of night vision and drone technology.

About the Author

Cam

Cam served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, deploying to the Horn of Africa and participating in combat operations in Iraq. He currently works in the maritime industry and in the defense sector as an instructor of combined arms planning and operations. An avid sailor, Cam founded and directs Triumph Sailing, a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders through adventure and fellowship on the water. Triumph Sailing is preparing for its big yearly event, an offshore race in the Gulf of Mexico with an all veteran crew. You can support the mission at Tri-Sail.Org.