What was reported
According to Ukrainian intelligence and in a comment to LIGA.net, Russian forces are preparing to carry out remote mine-laying of logistical routes to Huliaipole by dropping mines from drones on approaches from the north and west. Spokesperson of the Southern Defense Forces Vladyslav Voloshyn explicitly called this tactic an attempt to cut off supplies to our units.
“They plan to fly drones into our rear and scatter roads with mines to cut off our logistics. We are talking about the roads that lead to Huliaipole from the north and west”
— Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesman of the Southern Defense Forces
Operational picture
According to Voloshyn, the occupiers control part of Huliaipole and have intensified assault operations in the western part of the town. Ukrainian defenders are repelling attacks; fighting is sometimes conducted for each floor of multi-storey buildings. The spokesman noted that up to two dozen clashes are recorded per day.
“Part of Huliaipole remains under the control of the Defense Forces, we are destroying Russian assault groups… In a day we record nearly two, two and a half dozen combat engagements”
— Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesman of the Southern Defense Forces
Scale of strikes and losses
Voloshyn also reported on the intensity of fire: about 1,500 kamikaze drones and roughly 250–300 artillery strikes per day in the Huliaipole area. In his estimate, the enemy is losing up to 300–350 personnel daily, since assault groups often consist of 3–4 people.
Why it matters
Remote mining of roads has a direct tactical and strategic effect: in the short term it can complicate the delivery of ammunition, evacuation of the wounded and rotation of units. In the medium term — force the Armed Forces of Ukraine to move supply routes to longer and safer roads, which reduces operational flexibility.
Analysts and field engineering units point out: the spread of such practices increases the importance of countermeasures — systems for protection against UAVs, engineering demining and agile logistics.
What the Armed Forces of Ukraine are doing and what to expect
According to available data, the Defense Forces are countering assault groups and trying to drive the enemy out of individual streets and neighborhoods. The occupiers are simultaneously trying to bring up reserves from adjacent directions to consolidate their positions.
In the near term one can expect more intensive use of: 1) counter-drone systems at the brigade level; 2) additional engineering units for demining and marking routes; 3) redirecting supplies to reserve routes. Partners supplying electronic warfare and counter-UAV systems remain key to deterring this practice.
Conclusion
An attempt at remote mining is a logical step aimed at undermining our logistics. Further success or failure of this tactic will depend on a combination of field engineering, air defense/EW and adaptive logistics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Declarations of support must be turned into concrete means: counter-UAVs, engineering resources and ammunition.
