Toretsk sector "most critical" as Russian forces maximize drone warfare — Ukrainian commander

Yehor Firsov, a platoon commander in the UAV strike company of Ukraine’s 109th Brigade, shared this information with Hromadske Radio.

"The situation in the Toretsk sector is the most critical among all areas of the frontline. Nothing is changing — the enemy is doing everything it can to “power through.” Sometimes it's just a few orcs (a negative term for Russian forces and Russians who support the war - ed.), sometimes more. They are using drones to the maximum extent, including those with fiber optic control, and drones of various types. The enemy’s situation, tactics, and strategy remain largely unchanged. It's just that the concentration of their efforts in this area is very high," he said.

How has the concentration of Russian efforts changed?

"It’s hard to say... From what I see on our drone displays, it has increased five to ten times in our sector. We’re seeing a lot of these so-called 'motorcyclists.' People in the rear might laugh at them, but for us, it’s no joke. It’s not that the enemy’s army has been so badly depleted — it’s that when you have to move through a 10-kilometer zone near the front line, any fighter would prefer a motorcycle over heavy armor. Motorcycles are more maneuverable, they give you better visibility of the surroundings, and they make it easier to spot drones," Yehor Firsov explained.

According to the platoon commander, the nature of the war has changed drastically.

"Very few people truly realize it yet — even the military leadership hasn’t fully adapted — but the enemy now has a huge number of drones. Before, there were drones, but not in such overwhelming numbers. Now, the critical mass has arrived: drones capable of flying 10 to 15 kilometers, and this has completely disrupted our logistics and in general...

Previously, even 15 kilometers from the front line, we could bring in people and volunteers with MPs and 'excursions.' For example, in the town of New York (Donetsk region, editor’s note), just a few kilometers from the front. Of course, we wore helmets and it was dangerous, but I could go there and back 10 times — visit the guys at the positions, handle various tasks... Now, that's simply impossible," he explained.

• Dmytro Sniehirov, a military expert and co-head of the Prava Sprava civic initiative, noted that Russian forces are attempting to advance toward Kostiantynivka by applying pressure from the Pokrovsk and Toretsk sectors.