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Ukraine’s Secret Weapon Against Winter? It’s Hiding in Soldiers' Boots
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![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
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Ukrainian soldiers are using a unique tactic to combat the harsh winter by wrapping drone batteries in heated shoe insoles, Business Insider reported on February 3.
With freezing temperatures affecting the performance of electronic devices, including drone batteries, this solution helps maintain their charge and ensures operational efficiency.
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A Ukrainian drone unit commander told Business Insider that although batteries typically warm up during flight, the extreme cold requires the added heat source to prevent a voltage drop and reduce the drone’s range.
This cost-effective method involves wrapping the disposable insoles around the battery before takeoff. The addition of less than 100 grams does not affect the drone’s performance, according to Business Insider.
Lt. Col. Yuriy, an electronic warfare officer in Kharkiv, told Business Insider his National Guard unit uses small heated containers to keep drone and radio batteries warm.
The tactic is part of an effort by the Ukrainian forces to adapt and ensure the functionality of critical technologies during the coldest Ukrainian winter in over a decade, with temperatures dipping into the single digits.
The use of simple household items like heated insoles and containers highlights the innovative solutions soldiers are employing to keep operations running amidst Russia’s intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The Russian army is also attempting to adapt to the frozen battlefield. Ukrainian forces recently identified and eliminated several Russian soldiers wearing an experimental snow camouflage suit dubbed “Penguin,” which was spotted during fighting in snow-covered terrain.
Previously, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia violated a pledge made to the United States to pause strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during negotiations, accusing Moscow of launching attacks just days after agreeing to hold back.
Ukrainian President said Russia ignored a request from the US president to observe a one-week pause in attacks, instead striking during the coldest days of winter.
