If you can be seen, you can be killed. Russian troops are taught this lesson by drone operators of the Ukrainian 82nd Air Assault Brigade. The first clip show two Russian soldiers removing a dead or wounded comrade to a supposedly safe area. An FPV drone follows them to a fighting position which offers little protection from a quad copter that can follow them into their hole. The FPV drone bores in an detonate. The view from the reconnaissance drone shows two survivors leaving the area, indicating that their comrade is dead or that they have decided he is not worth saving. The next segment shows two soldiers scrambling for cover next to a destroyed armored vehicle. The first drone strikes the soldier near the front of the vehicle, who is then seen applying a tourniquet to his leg. Another soldier has burrowed almost beneath the shattered vehicle, but that does not save him from a second drone. Defilade as we understand it seems to be a thing of the past. Once upon a time one could take cover from bullets, mortars, and even artillery, but drone warfare means that there is nowhere to hide on a modern battlefield.

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 just completed its big yearly event, an offshore race in the Gulf of Mexico with an all veteran crew. You can support the mission and next year's sailing season at Tri-Sail.Org.