Ukraine is using cheap drones to push back Russian forces. These drones are very effective weapons in the war.
- A group called the “Peaky Blinders” operates the drones near Kharkiv
- They have hunted down over 100 Russian soldiers using drones
- The drones allow Ukraine to slow Russia’s advance but not stop it completely
- Ukraine wants permission to strike targets inside Russia with Western weapons
The Peaky Blinders
The “Peaky Blinders” got their name from a TV show. Western forces trained them to fly drones. In just a few weeks, they have taken out over 100 Russian soldiers using drones.
“We can hold them back with drones and hurt them badly, but we can’t defeat them, unfortunately,” said one Peaky Blinder named Alexander.
Alexander used to be a farmer in the area before joining the fight. Now, he is “planting bombs” with drones instead of crops.
A Game of Cat and Mouse
The Russians are learning how to jam the Peaky Blinders’ drone signals. Russian drones are also a threat to Ukrainian forces. Both sides play a constant “game of hide and seek” to protect themselves.
Ukraine has slowed the Russian front line, but a fierce artillery battle rages. Pushing the Russians back completely will be very difficult without more Western weapons.
Striking Inside Russia?
Ukraine wants permission from Western allies to use weapons to strike targets inside Russia itself. This could stop Russian attacks from being prepared near the border.
“We can’t stop the preparing of attacks, so we need to target inside Russia to stop them advancing here,” said one Peaky Blinder. “But we’re not allowed to. Does that make sense to you? No, not at all.”
Ukraine remains determined but looks to the West to provide the tools needed to win the war.
Do you think Ukraine should be allowed to strike targets in Russia with Western weapons? Or could that risk escalating the conflict further?
