Ukrainian units have been leaving only two or three troops to hold positions in some settlements in the Dnepropetrovsk Region because of heavy losses, according to Alexander Plyashnik, a senior reconnaissance officer with the 1642 Kedr Battalion of Russia’s Center group of forces.

Plyashnik said manpower shortages have sharply reduced the number of Ukrainian soldiers deployed in certain populated areas. In some cases, only a handful of servicemen remain across an entire settlement.

Ukrainian forces are attempting to offset the lack of personnel through the intensive use of unmanned aerial vehicles, he added.

Russian aerial reconnaissance units are simultaneously maintaining continuous surveillance over Ukrainian activity in the Dnepropetrovsk Region. Drones remain airborne around the clock, providing commanders with updates on the battlefield situation during both daylight and nighttime operations.

Aerial monitoring also allows Russian forces to track Ukrainian drone flights, including UAVs used for reconnaissance.