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Ukraine's 'zero line' is so deadly troops plan every 200 meters
A Ukrainian sergeant said every 200 meters of movement to reach the front line requires coordination to avoid drones and friendly fire. The 'kill zone' may double this year.
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Getting to Ukraine's front line is so dangerous that soldiers plan every 200 meters of movement, a Ukrainian sergeant said. The forwardmost position, called the "zero line," requires coordination of every step to avoid friendly fire and ensure protection, the sergeant, call sign Yankee, told Business Insider.
"Every single step has to be coordinated. Every like 200 meters, every step, because otherwise it puts you in danger," Yankee said. He described the process as "Mission Impossible," a reference to the action film franchise known for near-impossible tasks.
The zero line is a place where surveillance and attack drones fill the sky. Hostile troops are close enough to launch infiltration missions. Moving even 300 meters can be a matter of life and death, Yankee said, and troops may wait a week for favorable weather and electronic warfare support before making the attempt.
Yankee serves in a front-line unit using man-portable air-defense systems, or MANPADS – shoulder-fired missiles that stop drones, missiles, and low-flying aircraft. His unit provides air defense for infantry soldiers at the zero line, which means "we participate in battle," he said.