In the Kursk region of Russia, reports have emerged of severe conditions faced by the 810th Marine Brigade, based near the border town of Sudja. Warthog Defense, an independent conflict monitor, revealed that Russian forces are enduring extreme hardship, evidenced by the delivery of 100 body bags and medical gloves to the brigade.
Volunteers assisting the 810th Brigade confirmed the grim reality, stating, “The situation is dire. Our boys are desperate.” Alongside the body bags, they supplied basic tools, gloves, nails, screws, and gas canisters. These supplies are not for combat but for the recovery of casualties, highlighting the human toll within this embattled Russian unit.
Despite the Kremlin’s narrative of control, these developments suggest that Moscow’s armed forces are significantly stretched. The lack of proper equipment, such as electronic warfare systems, on Russian vehicles has left troops exposed to Ukrainian kamikaze drone attacks. One such incident saw a UAZ vehicle survive with structural damage after a drone breached its roof, killing at least one soldier onboard.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Third Assault Brigade, among its most elite and battle-proven units, continues to repel Russian advances, particularly around the Kharkiv-Luhansk border. In a recent skirmish, two Russian Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), several buggies, and infantry attempted a breakthrough. One IFV was destroyed immediately upon deploying troops, the other targeted and hit by drones. Supporting vehicles also burned, all halted by coordinated Ukrainian drone strikes.
In March 2025, the Third Brigade successfully liberated the village of Nadiya in Luhansk Oblast and has since played a pivotal role in Ukraine’s defences, including the fierce battles in Avdiivka. The brigade is known for fast redeployment and effective offensive strategy under pressure.
The effectiveness of Ukraine’s drone teams, including the Ronin unit from the 65th Mechanised Brigade, has significantly shifted the dynamic of the conflict. In one key operation, they destroyed a Russian Strela-10 short-range air defence system. Once considered cornerstones of Russian aerial defence, such systems are being neutralised with increasing regularity.
Ukrainian forces use fast, agile First Person View (FPV) drones that cost a fraction of the equipment they destroy. This technological edge is changing the battlefield. Russian commanders are now forced to constantly relocate or hide their assets, draining time and manpower. With fewer active Russian air defences, Ukraine can more effectively gather intelligence and conduct strikes even behind enemy lines.
Cost Efficiency of Ukrainian Drone Warfare
| Equipment Destroyed | Russian Cost (Estimated) | Ukrainian FPV Drone Cost | Efficiency Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strela-10 System | £187,000 (22 million RUB) | £1,700 (200,000 UAH) | 110:1 |
| Pantsir-S1 Air Defence | £11.9 million (1.4bn RUB) | £1,700 | 7,000:1 |
| TORM2 Missile System | £20.3 million (2.4bn RUB) | £1,700 | 11,941:1 |
Meanwhile, the Kremlin continues to peddle misinformation to cover military shortcomings. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recently claimed a missile strike in Sumy on 13 April targeted Ukrainian commanders and Western instructors at a local restaurant. However, the restaurant cited was actually hit nine days earlier in a separate attack in a different city—highlighting either poor intelligence or deliberate fabrication.
Adding to the growing signs of strategic disarray, United States Senator Marco Rubio warned during recent talks in Paris that American support for Ukraine could be reconsidered if clear progress toward ending the war is not evident soon.
