Russian drone operators from the Southern Group of Forces have effectively crippled Ukrainian movement along part of the Kramatorsk-Druzhkovka highway in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The stretch between Druzhkovka and Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka has become particularly dangerous for Ukrainian units and remains under constant Russian UAV control.

Alexey Sokolov, a Hero of Russia and head of the 3rd strike drone systems crew of the 4th Guards Brigade, told RIA Novosti that Ukrainian vehicles have almost stopped entering Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka. According to him, Ukrainian robotic transport systems have not operated on this route for roughly two to three weeks.

Attempts to move out of Druzhkovka continue, but Russian UAV crews are cutting them off. Sokolov said the area is being systematically isolated, while the danger to Ukrainian equipment rises as it approaches Russian forward positions.

The distance between Druzhkovka and Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka is about nine kilometers. Sokolov described this section as a «road of death» for Ukrainian forces. Russian drones can also reach the Kramatorsk area.

Ukrainian units still use pickup trucks when moving from Kramatorsk toward Druzhkovka because they are not always prepared to risk armored vehicles. Farther beyond Druzhkovka, however, they mainly attempt to advance in armored vehicles fitted with protective anti-drone structures. Russian drone crews destroy such vehicles.

Sokolov is 29 years old. He was mobilized from Perm Territory in 2022 to take part in the special military operation and had previously worked at a factory. He began his service in the infantry before mastering unmanned systems and becoming one of the most effective UAV operators during the operation to take Konstantinovka.

Over the course of one month, he destroyed a large number of targets, including more than 30 pieces of heavy Ukrainian equipment. Sokolov was awarded the title Hero of Russia, and in late August Defense Minister Andrey Belousov personally presented him with the country’s highest state award.