Ukraine's front line challenges: Soldier shortages and robotic aid
Ukrainians are raising the alarm that the shortage of soldiers on certain front sections has reached a critical level. Robots are increasingly helping to save lives; although they cannot replace soldiers, they can reduce human casualties.
A Ukrainian commander informed "Gazeta Wyborcza" that there is a shortage of personnel in all units, but in some, the situation is particularly critical. - The lack of personnel is one of the main reasons for the instability of the front line - emphasised the newspaper's anonymous source.
The situation is exacerbated because soldiers fighting on the front are exhausted, and there is no one to replace them. In addition to losses in combat, desertion has recently reached a significant scale.
- During certain periods, the number of those who left the unit was higher than the number of killed and wounded. About 10% returned – explains the Ukrainian commander to "Gazeta Wyborcza", a Polish newspaper.
Arriving at the front unprepared
Another serious problem faced by the Ukrainian army is the inadequate training of soldiers arriving at the front. Commanders acknowledge that they usually trained new recruits on ranges, but during intense fighting, there is no time for this.
The interviewee from "Gazeta Wyborcza" emphasises that no training centre can fully prepare recruits for the challenges they will encounter on the front. Therefore, they should arrive at the unit while there are still enough experienced soldiers, not when there is a shortage of personnel. - Otherwise, new soldiers are "overwhelmed by gunfire," do not resist, and flee - states a military representative.
Robots taking the place of humans
Drones have been employed in the war in Ukraine almost since the outset of hostilities. In recent weeks, ground unmanned vehicles have joined marine and aerial drones. As military personnel admit, Ukrainians experience the greatest losses during movements and evacuations. Ground drones help to reduce at least some of these losses.
Robots can transport necessary ammunition, food, water, and fuel to the so-called line of contact. Tracked robots are also employed to evacuate the wounded and deceased. Ground drones can also have electronic warfare systems or machine gun modules.
"The needs are enormous because the front line in Ukraine is over 3,200 kilometres long, and intense combat operations occur on sections totalling over 1,000 kilometres. The heaviest fighting is in Donbas, where the Russian army conducts simultaneous attacks in several directions," reminds "Gazeta Wyborcza".
Source: "Gazeta Wyborcza"
