Inside the 'kill-zone' on Ukraine's front line, where new weapons have transformed war

Inside the 'kill-zone' on Ukraine's front line, where new weapons have transformed war39 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAbdujalil AbdurasulovEastern Ukraine93rd brigade, UAFA member of the 93rd brigade checks the sky for drones in the frontline town of KostyantynivkaAfter 225 days stuck in a front-line foxhole, the Ukrainian infantryman's muscles were so weak he could barely walk. His commanders had tried five times to swap him with another soldier - but they could never reach him. Rotating soldiers on the front line in eastern Ukraine is extremely difficult because of the constant threat of drones.This area near Kostyantynivka is currently one of the most dangerous hotspots and the Ukrainian military admits that Russian forces have reached its outskirts.Known as Kenya, the infantryman took two days to walk 11km (6.8 miles) to get back to his brigade, avoiding mines and hiding from drones to get out.Ukraine's 93rd brigade has the job of defending Kostyantynivka and its surrounding towns and villages from Russia's advance.If this highly strategic city falls, Moscow will be able to push towards the last remaining Ukrainian strongholds in the Donbas region – Kramatorsk and Sloviansk – from the north, east and south.Vladimir Putin sees the capture of the Donbas as Russia's "priority goal", and Ukrainian intelligence says he wants it done this year. President Volodymyr Zelensky believes the Kremlin is planning another major offensive in the summer.But Russia's campaign has lately become bogged down in the region. Moscow gained half as much territory in the Donbas in April than in March, and a sixth of what it captured in December 2025, according to Ukrainian monitoring website DeepState. Kenya's task was to maintain his position and listen for any movement outside. He and his comrade would engage only if Russian troops tried to move against them.Watch: Kenya's story of 225 days inside Ukraine'...