Using high-tech drones, Russia is pressing aerial advantage against beleaguered Ukrainian artillery

Emerging stealthily from its wooded sanctuary, the massive German-provided howitzer has but a fleeting moment to unleash its fury before vanishing back into the shadows, dodging the vigilant gaze of Russian aerial surveillance.

In the undulating terrain of Ukraine's eastern expanse, artillery squads engage in a tense game of hide-and-seek with Russian drones, eager to pinpoint and neutralize high-value assets like the elusive self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000.

Amidst Moscow's intensified ground assaults along the sprawling 621-mile front in Ukraine's south and east, the fate of major industrial centers in Donetsk hangs precariously as Kyiv struggles to fend off Russian encroachment, over two years since the onset of full-scale invasion.

The art of counterbattery becomes paramount, quelling enemy barrages raining down upon Ukrainian positions, thus facilitating Russian advances.

For crews like those of the 43rd Artillery Brigade, harassment from enemy drones has escalated, becoming an ever-present threat in their daily struggle. These aerial incursions, predominantly employing advanced Russian technology, have transformed the battlefield into a realm of constant peril.

Navigating this perilous landscape, Ukrainian artillery units employ tactics of concealment and swift relocation. The Panzerhaubitze, a prized target in Moscow's sights, shifts between concealed positions, veiled by natural foliage and makeshift coverings.

Yet, despite their ingenuity, Ukrainian forces clamor for more sophisticated electronic warfare systems to thwart the omnipresent threat of Russian drones, which persistently loom overhead.

As Western-supplied weaponry remains a prime target for Russian aggression, Ukrainian units find themselves embroiled in a battle for survival, constantly on the defensive against relentless aerial assaults and dwindling ammunition supplies.

In this struggle for supremacy, the efficacy of Ukrainian artillery hinges not only on firepower but on a seamless integration of technology and strategy. Only through a comprehensive system encompassing electronic warfare, surveillance, and precise artillery strikes can they hope to turn the tide against their adversaries.