TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Taiwanese volunteer soldier fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war said the battlefield has largely shifted from trench warfare and artillery bombardment to drone-driven combat, CNA reported.
Since the conflict began in February 2022, drones have been used on the battlefield for reconnaissance and as low-cost attack weapons. Ukraine has employed drones to intercept Russian UAVs and has modified commercial models for military operations using 3D printing technology.
According to the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, artillery remains effective even in harsh weather, while most drones cannot operate under such conditions. Russian forces have sometimes taken advantage of bad weather to launch ground attacks.
The institute noted that drones account for a significant share of battlefield losses in the war. The conflict has also demonstrated the growing integration of UAVs with conventional weapons.
It added that when large numbers of drones are launched at a single target, air defense systems can be overwhelmed. In response, Ukrainian forces use artillery to destroy Russian trenches and defensive positions, clearing the way for subsequent drone strikes.
The volunteer, who served four years in Taiwan’s military, said that winning in combat depends on advanced technology, strong command systems, reliable supply plans, and clear evacuation routes. He added that besides Taiwan’s plans to raise its defense budget and extend compulsory military service from four months to one year, the country also needs to improve its military systems and combat strategies.
Lee Cheng-ling (李成零), a retired Marine who also spent eight months volunteering in Ukraine, said Taiwan’s military should use the longer service period to train soldiers in using weapons and understanding terrain. He also stressed that small units should practice moving and shooting while covering each other.
The government has proposed a record NT$949.5 billion (US$30.2 billion) defense budget for this year, marking the first time it exceeds 3% of GDP, pending approval from the Legislative Yuan.
In November, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said the government plans to allocate NT$1.25 trillion in a special military budget from this year through 2033. The funds will be used for defense systems, missiles, drone procurement, and strengthening the local military sector.
As of January, KMT and TPP legislators, who hold a majority in the Legislative Yuan, had blocked the special budget from review 10 times. On Tuesday, the legislature approved it for examination.
Another volunteer soldier from Hong Kong said the battlefield has been dominated by drones. He noted that Ukrainian forces are also using UAVs to enhance missions and deliver medical supplies to the front lines.
The volunteer said he was wounded by a drone strike and returned to the front following three months of treatment. He added that several members of his unit have been killed, including two other volunteers from Hong Kong.
Kostiantyn Milevskyi, Deputy Head of the Department for Coordination of Foreign Military Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said the country has volunteers from 75 countries, with around 600 joining monthly and more than 10,000 volunteers at its peak.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates Ukraine has recorded 600,000 casualties, while Russia has 320,000 deaths and 1.2 million wounded or missing. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said about 200,000 soldiers left without permission, and 2 million are being sought for avoiding military service, making foreign volunteers crucial to frontline forces.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, two Taiwanese volunteer soldiers have died in the war. Tseng Sheng-kuang (曾聖光) was the first to be killed, in November 2022. Wu Chung-ta (吳忠達) died in November 2024 after being hit by Russian artillery on the front lines.
