In the darkness of a November night near the frontlines of Donetsk, a Guardian reporting team joins a squad of Ukrainian drone operators on a high-stakes mission. These are not regular soldiers, but police officers who have traded in their badges for drone controllers, becoming an integral part of Ukraine’s resistance against the relentless Russian invasion.
The Khyzhak Brigade: From Law Enforcement to Drone Warfare
The drone pilots are members of the Khyzhak Brigade, a unit of police officers who have volunteered to join the fight. Among them is Iryna, a 32-year-old former officer from Lviv, who made the difficult decision to leave her husband and join the war effort.
My husband was against this, but there was a moment when I realised that what if I joined up and killed at least two Russians? Maybe it means my husband is going to come back earlier?
Iryna, Khyzhak Brigade drone operator
The team operates out of a concealed bunker, their eighth position since June, each one further back than the last as Russian forces have gained ground. Inside, they prepare armed Mavic 3 drones equipped with thermal cameras and small bombs, ready to strike at enemy soldiers and equipment.
Micro Battles in the Dead of Night
As the drones take flight, their thermal imaging reveals heat signatures hundreds of meters away. The pilots scan for targets, sharing video feeds and coordinating with other squads. Shortly after 1 am, they spot a lone figure walking along a path – a Russian soldier on patrol.
Andrii, one of the pilots, locks onto the target and releases a bomb from 140 meters up. The explosive bends towards its mark, detonating just 3 meters away. The figure collapses. A second bomb follows, a standard tactic to ensure the kill.
The Toll of Remote Warfare
While the drone operators celebrate their successful strike, the psychological impact of remote killing is undeniable. When asked how he feels after taking a life, Andrii expresses satisfaction at completing the mission rather than remorse.
Obviously it is easier to kill from drones, not with small arms, but we are attacking them because otherwise they will attack our infantry or make our life worse somehow.
Rostik, Khyzhak Brigade commander
The team documents the strike for verification and to update their points score – a system introduced by the Ukrainian military to incentivize drone squads. Successful hits on enemy soldiers and equipment earn points that can be exchanged for newer, more advanced drones.
The Human Cost of an Unending War
As the night wears on, the pilots share meals, make calls to loved ones, and reflect on the toll the war has taken. Many worry about the future their children will inherit if the conflict drags on for years to come.
The scariest thing is we make our kids inherit this war.
Rostik, Khyzhak Brigade commander
Despite the hardships and the uncertain path to peace, the drone operators remain resolute in their mission to defend their homeland against Russian aggression. As Rostik puts it, “We are fighting for our country, for our families, for our kids, those we have lost; for those who were killed, who were raped, who were tortured. That’s our land, and that’s the fight we have.”
The Khyzhak Brigade’s story is just one chapter in the larger saga of Ukraine’s valiant struggle for sovereignty and survival. As the war grinds on, these police officers turned drone pilots will continue to wage their nightly micro battles, hoping that each small victory brings them one step closer to the peace and freedom they so desperately seek.
