Ukrainian Drone Operators Successfully Halt Infamous Russia’s 40 Miles Long Mechanized Convoy Heading Seize Kyiv

Kostiantyn Golubtsov

Updated: May 01 2022 at 01:44 pm
Source: Julian Borger

The 40-mile mechanized russian convoy that invaded Ukraine in February failed the objective to seize Kyiv from the north, this is not only due to lack of supply, but also owing to brave and committed work of Ukrainian drone operators from air reconnaissance unit “Aerorozvidka” who helped to freeze the russian advance into Ukraine.

The following is stated in an artice by Julian Borger for The Guardian.

At first, satellite photos the russia’s enormous convoy consisting of supply trucks, troops and artillery seemed to be a serious threat for Kyiv. Soon, mechanical breakdown, lack of coordination and congestion took its toll. However in significant part because of a series of night ambushes carried out by a team of 30 Ukrainian special forces and drone operators on quad bikes.

Started as a volunteer movement of IT specialists and hobbyists 8 years ago, the unit has evolved into air reconnaissance unit “Aerorozvidka”, an essential element in Ukraine’s successful David-and-Goliath resistance.

The commander, Lt Col Yaroslav Honchar, told about the ambush near the town of Ivankiv that helped stop the vast Russian offensive.

He said the Ukrainian fighters on quad bikes were able to approach the advancing Russian column at night by riding through the forest on either side of the road leading south towards Kyiv from the direction of Chornobyl. According to him, the Ukrainian soldiers were equipped for the most part with night vision goggles, sniper rifles, remotely detonated mines, drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras and others capable of dropping small 1.5kg bombs.

This one little unit in the night destroyed two or three vehicles at the head of this convoy, and after that it was stuck. They stayed there two more nights, and [destroyed] many vehicles / — Photo: Aerorozvidka

The enemy supply depot was hit first crippling the Russians’ capacity in advance. As a result, “the first echelon of the Russian force was stuck without heat, without oil, without bombs and without gas,” Honchar said.

Not all the details of these claims could be independently verified, but US defense officials have said that Ukrainian attacks contributed to the halting of the armored column around Ivankiv. The huge amount of aerial combat footage published by the Ukrainians underlines the importance of drones to their resistance.