Ukraine deploys new combat model, commander says Russian-held areas recaptured
April 15 (Reuters) – Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said on Wednesday it was introducing a new model of operations integrating drone warfare with infantry activity and pointed to successes announced by its top commander in retaking territory from Russian forces in the south of the country. Top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said Kyiv’s forces had regained control of nearly 50 sq km (19 sq miles) of its territory from Russia in March, building on its gains since the start of the year. Drones have assumed a prominent role in the four-year-old war pitting Kyiv against Moscow. Both sides have also devoted resources to developing ways to intercept drones and upgrade air defences. “A new model of warfare is being introduced, drone-assault units that combine aerial and ground unmanned systems with infantry into a single integrated system,” the Defence Ministry said in a brief statement on Telegram. “This approach has already produced results in the south, where since February a large area of territory has been liberated, precisely thanks to the use of these advanced units.” Syrskyi made …
