The Peaky Blinders drone unit operates in Slovyansk to shoot down Russian drones targeting the heavily battered urban center. Slovyansk serves as one of four cities constituting Ukraine's reinforced "fortress belt" in the government-controlled portion of Donetsk. These strategic strongholds have now emerged as major sticking points during trilateral peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in Abu Dhabi. Moscow continues to insist on the surrender of these critical positions as negotiations resume after a nine-month hiatus.
Key points
Specialized Ukrainian drone teams are actively deployed to counter Russian aerial incursi…: Specialized Ukrainian drone teams are actively deployed to counter Russian aerial incursions over critical front-line infrastructure.
Moscow is demanding that Kyiv surrender its strategic fortress cities as part of ongoing…: Moscow is demanding that Kyiv surrender its strategic fortress cities as part of ongoing diplomatic talks.
The future of Ukraine's eastern defensive belt has become a central point of contention i…: The future of Ukraine's eastern defensive belt has become a central point of contention in international peace negotiations.
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The BBC's Jonathan Beale reported from inside Slovyansk, one of four cities that make up Ukraine's "fortress belt" - a system of heavily reinforced defence lines in the parts of eastern region of Donetsk still under its control.
The town has become almost uninhabitable and has been under heavy bombardment from Russian drones, missiles and glide bombs.
Members of a Ukrainian drone unit that call themselves Peaky Blinders, named after the cult BBC TV series, have taken on the task of intercepting Russian drones.
Russia wants Kyiv to give up the fortress cities and they are central to talks on a possible peace deal that have resumed after nine months between Ukraine, Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi.
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