Russian drones watch the roads in Donetsk Oblast, but not the nearly 6 km route Ukraine has set up underground

In Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine has established an underground tunnel of nearly 6 kilometers to facilitate the movement of supplies without the threat of Russian drones monitoring the roads. Colonel Dmytro Pishko, head of the Support Forces Directorate at the Air Assault Forces Command, revealed the tunnel during an interview with Ukrinform on November 3rd. This tunnel is not merely a secret route, but a permanent supply line, allowing for the uninterrupted and covert transportation of food and ammunition.

Pishko highlighted that this tunnel is another testament to Ukraine's engineering prowess, enabling seamless and concealed movement. Meanwhile, Russia has continued to utilize its own defensive methods, including pipes into Kupiansk, which Ukraine claims are being used as escape routes. When asked about Russia's defensive lines, Pishko noted that the Russian army is adept at digging and continuously engages in such activities.

Even with the installation of anti-drone nets stretching over 822 kilometers of frontline roads since January, experts emphasize that these nets are only effective if regularly maintained. If a second drone manages to penetrate the net, it can bypass the first blockade. Therefore, dedicated units patrol and repair these nets daily, with Pishko suggesting that the most reliable protection against drones is to dig deeper underground.

However, working underground poses its own risks. On the same day the tunnel was disclosed, Russian forces attempted to attack a group of workers setting up the tunnel using two FPV drones. Squad leader Ivan Chokha successfully shot down both drones, demonstrating the ongoing dangers of this underground strategy. Despite the threats, Ukraine continues to expand its anti-drone road nets, aiming to stretch over 1,000 kilometers of roadways as part of a new defensive strategy through 2028.