Published: 09:24 AM, 17 November 2025
Changing weather becomes a new factor on the battlefield for both Russia and Ukraine
A few days ago Russian forces exploited the low visibility to build a pontoon across the Vovcha River in the south of Ukraine, according to the unofficial DeepState website, which monitors battlefield developments in the country. CBC News
On the frontlines in Ukraine, changing weather has brought treacherous conditions - but also opportunities - for both sides.
Although swathes of fog are limiting the use of drones by both the Russians and Ukrainians, both sides have also managed to turn the mist to their advantage, reports CNN.
Although swathes of fog are limiting the use of drones by both the Russians and Ukrainians, both sides have also managed to turn the mist to their advantage, reports CNN.
A few days ago Russian forces exploited the low visibility to build a pontoon across the Vovcha River in the south of Ukraine, according to the unofficial DeepState website, which monitors battlefield developments in the country.
They managed to get at least 10 vehicles across, which then dispersed in the village of Dachne, according to DeepState.
"The fog is very thick, and enemy forces continue to accumulate," said one Ukrainian soldier, Stanislav Buniatov, on Telegram.
In Ukraine's Donetsk region, fog has hampered drone operations for both sides in the hotly contested town of Pokrovsk and added an element of randomness to the battlefield.
"Donbas fog. It's good to move around in fog because it's harder for drones to hit you, but it's also hard for us, and it all turns into some kind of backgammon (game) on this land," said one Ukrainian soldier in the area.
The fog has helped a Ukrainian assault regiment carry out raids in recent days into parts of Pokrovsk where Russian forces are present "darting across the rail lines that bisect Pokrovsk," according to military analyst David Axe.
Ukrainian drone operator Yevhen Strokan wrote on X on Thursday: "Firefights are breaking out in the most unexpected places especially after fog."
The Ukrainians usually use surveillance drones to track Russian troops' movements but the weather is interfering with that. "Fog, wind and rain significantly degrade drone operations, enabling Russian infiltration through Ukrainian positions," analyst Michael Kofman, who has recently visited Ukraine, posted on X on Friday.
The Ukrainians usually use surveillance drones to track Russian troops' movements but the weather is interfering with that. "Fog, wind and rain significantly degrade drone operations, enabling Russian infiltration through Ukrainian positions," analyst Michael Kofman, who has recently visited Ukraine, posted on X on Friday.
On a porous and fluid frontline, Axe said on his Substack Trench Art this week, "the bad weather and resulting gaps in overhead surveillance" by Ukrainian as well as Russian drones "only intensify the confusion."
