German journalists report that in the Ukraine conflict, traditional dugouts and trench lines no longer provide reliable protection. They say both Ukrainian and Russian infantry have increasingly moved underground, building tunnel networks to stay out of reach of strike drones.

In their assessment, battlefield advantage now depends on two things: stronger shelters and an edge in unmanned systems. The authors stress that underground hideouts must remain unnoticed for as long as possible. To reduce exposure, they add, troops are turning more often to unmanned ground vehicles instead of cars — using them to deliver ammunition, clear mines and evacuate the wounded.

In February 2026, Ukrainian commander-in-chief Aleksandr Syrsky said the fighting had not reached a dead end, but acknowledged that the mass spread of drones has changed the psychology of war. He noted that assaults are now carried out on foot. Syrsky also said drone development has created what he called a «deadly zone», where servicemen face a «special threat».