Ukraine's Deadly Game of Drone Warfare

12 hours ago

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Ukrainian soldiers trade combat patches as currency, sometimes for alcohol and cigarettes.
The 34th Coastal Defense Brigade's drone operators are among the deadliest fighters in modern warfare.
Ukraine's drone units use a gamified system, awarding points for kills, which can be exchanged for perks.
Suicide drones, costing a few hundred dollars each, are key to Ukraine's defensive strategy.
Russian special forces use tactics like sneaking behind front lines to attack Ukrainian drone crews.
Ukrainian drone teams, though small, account for a majority of Russia's casualties.
Drone warfare is intimate, with pilots often seeing their targets' panic before striking.
The brutal reality of war is highlighted by the collection of dead soldiers' patches.

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