They find a sword, we find a shield: Ukrainian soldier on why drones will never replace infantry

Serafim Hordiienko, a Ukrainian soldier who joined the military at 19, has spoken about the role of drones in Ukraine's war on Russia. In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Hordiienko rejected the notion that drones will replace traditional infantry forces, arguing that they serve distinct purposes within the conflict. He compared the two forces to two halves of a single system, stating that while drones excel in surveillance and strikes, infantry is crucial for holding ground and carrying out ground combat.

Hordiienko cited Ukraine's drone manufacturing sector, which includes companies like Skyeton, Ukrspetssystems, DeviRO, and Firepoint, as a key factor behind the country's drone advantage. These companies have managed to produce effective reconnaissance and strike capabilities despite facing resource constraints, something Russia's more centralized defense industry has not experienced.

The shift in Ukrainian soldiers' attitude towards the war, according to Hordiienko, occurred during the 2023 Zaporizhzhia counteroffensive. Before then, young volunteers were motivated by an emotionally charged, maximalist approach, assuming the war would be short-lived. However, after the counteroffensive stalled, a more systematic and mechanized phase emerged, which Hordiienko referred to as a "war of military machines."

He illustrated this transition using a sword-and-shield analogy, comparing the continuous adaptation and scaling of methods by both sides to maintain the advantage. Hordiienko enlisted the help of four other volunteers, all under 21 and already veterans of the early stages of the war, after Ukrainian then-commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi issued a personal order for their inclusion.

For newer recruits arriving without the initial enthusiasm of the volunteer surge, Hordiienko emphasized that commanders now owe them honesty and the promise of concrete terms of service, fair treatment, and the opportunity to gain valuable skills, such as in drone operation, that can benefit them in civilian life.