In certain sectors of the front line, the area where Russian and Ukrainian drones pose a high risk to transport can extend up to 40 kilometres, reports *Die Zeit*. The publication described the work of the \u00abDa Vinci Wolves\u00bb battalion in the Dnipropetrovsk region, where heavy drones deliver water, food, medicines and ammunition to the front lines.<\/p>\n
Briefly about the main points<\/strong><\/p>\n \u0423 reports<\/a> Die Zeit<\/em><\/strong> Two soldiers from the \u00abDa Vinci Wolves\u00bb battalion are preparing for the eighth flight of the day by a heavy bomber drone. Its mission is to deliver supplies to two Ukrainian positions.<\/p>\n In areas where drones are attacking transport, water, food, medical supplies and ammunition are delivered to some infantry positions almost exclusively by air. This changes the logistics of the so-called \u2018last mile\u2019 \u2014 the relatively short stretch between the supply route and the position itself.<\/p>\n Die Zeit cites the estimate of a range of up to 40 kilometres for specific directions, rather than as a single figure for the entire front line. The distance at which transport may be vulnerable depends on the type of drone, the terrain and the countermeasures in place.<\/p>\n The emergence of such zones can be partly explained by the development of long-haul FPV drones<\/a>. In February, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence announced that the \u00abBaton Optic\u00bb fibre-optic FPV, with a claimed engagement range of over 30 kilometres, had been cleared for operational use. According to the ministry, it is designed to engage, in particular, artillery, lightly armoured vehicles, motor vehicles and field fortifications, and its control channel is protected against electronic warfare measures.<\/p>\n This does not mean that armoured vehicles will disappear completely from the battlefield. Rather, the increasing range and prevalence of UAVs are forcing units to change the way they move, deploy and resupply.<\/p>\n The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in April 2026, unmanned systems carried out nearly 357,000 combat missions and struck over 160,700 verified targets. Systems Middle Strike<\/a>, according to this information, 424 Russian targets were struck at ranges of between 20 and 250 kilometres.<\/p>\n The National Security and Defence Council states that FPV drones create areas of destruction in specific locations and significantly hamper the movement of Russian military vehicles and transport. Russia is also expanding its unmanned capabilities: according to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia plans to manufacture 7.3 million FPV drones by 2026.<\/p>\n\n
Deliveries where transport becomes a target<\/h2>\n
The range of drones increases the risks to road traffic<\/h2>\n
The widespread use of drones<\/h2>\n
Autonomous functions are becoming part of the \u00abchain of engagement\u00bb<\/h2>\n