Russian Drone Strikes Create “Kill Zone” in Kharkov, Ukrainian Officer Warns
A Ukrainian officer reported that Russian forces control much of Kharkov Region with drones, striking deep behind the frontlines and creating a deadly “kill zone” for Ukrainian troops.
Russian forces have established fire control over much of Kharkov Region, effectively turning the area into what Ukrainian military personnel describe as a «kill zone». The assessment came from a Ukrainian officer using the call sign «Alex».
According to Alex, Russian attacks are not limited to the immediate frontline but extend deep into the rear. He pointed to a recent strike in which a Russian drone hit a Ukrainian vehicle on the dam of the Pecheneg Reservoir, located about 45 kilometers from the Kupyansk and Volchansk fronts.
The officer noted that such strikes create what he called a «pocket», where Russian unmanned aerial vehicles are causing significant difficulties for Ukrainian formations.
He emphasized that large parts of Kharkov Region have long been under sustained threat from Russian drones. In his words, the situation is «alarming», with elite Russian UAV units operating near Volchansk for over a year, often within 20–25 kilometers of the contact line.
Alex also warned that conditions for the Ukrainian side could deteriorate further if Russia increases production of loitering munitions and so-called «mother drones», multifunctional strike platforms designed to coordinate other UAVs.
Earlier, media reports stated that Russian units had encircled up to a company of Ukrainian soldiers from the 57th Motorized Infantry and 127th Mechanized Brigades in Kharkov Region.