Ukraine Launches ‘Drone Line’ Doctrine to Strengthen Frontline Defense

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has launched the “Drone Line” initiative, aimed at expanding the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to create a continuous strike zone along the front line.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced the project’s launch.

According to him, Project’s goal is to enhance specialized drone units by equipping them with modern technology, resources, and trained personnel.

The initiative seeks to establish a 10-15 km-wide no-go zone, making it impossible for enemy forces to approach Ukrainian positions without sustaining heavy losses.

According to Mykhailo Drapatyi, Commander of the Ground Forces and Head of the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group, 80-90% of frontline defense now depends on UAV capabilities.

The project initiated by the President of Ukraine relies on key UAV brigades, and will recruit military personnel and civilians into it. Those brigades include the “Birds of the Magyar” unmanned systems brigade, and regiments “Rarog,” “K-2,” “Phoenix,” and “Achilles.”

The Ministry of Defence has allocated an additional UAH 4.6 billion for the initiative, covering drone procurement, electronic warfare equipment, transport, and other mission-critical resources.

Drones Reshaping the Battlefield

Over the past year, Ukraine’s expanding use of drones has helped offset artillery and ammunition shortages, reshaping combat operations on the front lines. The widespread deployment of reconnaissance UAVs and attack drones has significantly weakened Russian Armored Forces, forcing them to rely on infantry assaults and even motorcycle-mounted attacks.

According to the commander of the 414th “Birds of Magyar” Brigade, in December alone, his unit carried out 18,886 combat missions, resulting in 5,940 drone strikes. These included FPV drone attacks (day and night) multicopter bombings, remote mining and reconnaissance flights.

In total, 4,225 enemy targets were destroyed or damaged, including artillery systems, armored vehicles, infantry, and intercepted drones.

Ukrainian UAVs have taken on a counter-battery role, providing deep reconnaissance and precision strikes. Constant drone ambushes on frontline roads have disrupted Russian troop movements, limiting the use of self-propelled howitzers in daylight.

Militarnyi reported that to mitigate drone threats, Russian forces had resorted to fortified stationary positions for their self-propelled artillery. Recent footage from the Russian forces shows Giatsint-S howitzers positioned in deep, camouflaged trenches, firing through narrow embrasures that are sealed immediately after shooting.

The 412th “NEMESIS” Regiment has intensified strikes on Russian artillery. In the past month alone, it has destroyed with night drone bombers 365 howitzers and artillery systems, including multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), anti-aircraft systems, and a rare North Korean M1989 Koksan self-propelled gun, transferred to Russia by Pyongyang.