Belarusian Volunteer Reveals What Truly Decides War Today

Over four and a half years of full-scale war, Russia and Ukraine have virtually rewritten the rules of modern warfare. Tanks and aircraft no longer dictate the course of hostilities; on the front, victory increasingly goes to whoever best uses drones and can cut off the enemy from ammunition, fuel, and reinforcements.

Belarusian volunteer Uladzislau Salavey, call sign Sonya, who is currently fighting as part of the National Guard of Ukraine, has launched a fundraiser for a vehicle for his unit. In a conversation with "Nashа Nіva," he explained why a car is one of the most important things on the front today, and also shared how tactics, reconnaissance, and the very logic of war have completely changed over four years.

From Akrestsina to the Front

Until 2020, Uladzislau Salavey lived a perfectly ordinary life. Born and raised in Minsk, he studied law, worked in various fields, and loved to travel. He simply says of himself from that time: "I was never interested in politics."

But August 2020 changed everything. Uladzislau participated in protests and ended up in Akrestsina, in one of the cells on the first floor, where he spent several days, from August 9 to 12. After his release, he could no longer return to his former life.

"When they released me, I had somehow already changed. Many were leaving Belarus then, but I, on the contrary, decided to stay. It was my internal form of protest," Uladzislau recalls.

He arrived at the front in early 2023. Initially, he was a machine gunner in the infantry, then became a squad leader of linear infantry. And then – commander of a reconnaissance group composed of foreigners.

"We had a real team from all corners of the world: a New Zealander, a Japanese, an Irishman, an Englishman, a Canadian, a Frenchman, an Italian, several Americans, an Australian. I speak English well, which is why I got such an international group," Uladzislau describes.

During this time, he managed to become one of the commanders of the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment. Today he remains a Kalinoŭski fighter, but now serves in the National Guard of Ukraine.

"Fighters of the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment are now in different units," he explains. — "Currently, we are forming a new unit."

Павялічыць

"This is already a completely different war"

The main change Uladzislau has observed over these years concerns the very logic of war.

"The war has changed totally. It reminds me a lot of the First World War. It began with people essentially on horseback, without helmets, in uniforms that remained from Napoleonic times. And they ended it already in helmets, bulletproof vests, with machine guns, tanks, and aviation. Over four years, an incredible technological leap occurred, which completely changed the doctrine of war. The same is happening now in Ukraine," Uladzislau recounts.

According to him, in 2022, hostilities were still conducted according to 20th-century rules. Tank columns, large numbers of assault infantry, artillery, helicopters — all these remained the main tools of war.

"When I came to the front, we still fought as people imagine war. We had direct contact with the enemy. We sat in trenches; there were 100-150 meters between us and the enemy. We carried grenade launchers to hit tanks. Heavy machine guns were in operation. We hid in dugouts from artillery," the warrior recalls.

But everything changed after drones massively appeared on the battlefield:

"They changed everything. The front line is no longer two lines on a map. It more resembles a heat map or a weather map: somewhere the concentration is greater, somewhere lesser. Infantry reconnaissance, which we used to do, has almost lost its relevance; it has turned into aerial reconnaissance."

In his opinion, even tanks, which were considered a symbol of modern warfare just a few years ago, have today lost their former role:

"Even at the beginning of the war, after the appearance of "Javelins," tanks were increasingly used as mobile artillery. But now they have virtually disappeared from the battlefield. Any armored vehicle has simply become a large, expensive mobile target.

Drones have forced a change in how tanks look today. Previously, tanks were protected from HEAT shells and missiles. Now the main threat is the drone. Therefore, instead of complex armor, all these grilles, "mangals" (improvised anti-drone cages), which are now hung on any equipment, have appeared.

That's why it's amusing to us when Europeans release new "Leopards" not just without "mangals," but even without any active armor. They are very beautiful; Germans know how to make things beautiful. But a tank worth 30 million euros can be destroyed by a single drone for 300 euros two minutes after the start of combat."

Even more radically, he believes, aviation has changed:

"All aviation now is drones. Planes are still used only because a full-fledged replacement for them has not yet been found. But I am convinced: within the scope of this war, they will also gradually become a thing of the past; it's a matter of time."

"Now, whoever cuts off logistics wins"

Uladzislau explains: today, the success of a frontline operation is decided by cutting off logistics with the help of drones.

"We very quickly realized: if all approaches to the first line, where the infantry is located, are controlled by drones, then the infantry itself doesn't even need to be stormed. People cannot enter, cannot leave, cannot evacuate the wounded, or resupply ammunition. Yes, drones can still drop water or food to them. But a person cannot stay in a position for months without proper rotation. He simply loses combat effectiveness and breaks down sooner or later. And either they are finished off there by the same drones, or in rare cases, small groups of fighters enter to finish them off," Uladzislau recounts.

This, he says, works at all levels of war — from battles for small forest belts to strikes on Russian oil refineries:

"Strategic strikes on oil refineries are also about logistics. No fuel — no logistics. And without logistics, nothing works."

That's why his unit no longer resembles reconnaissance as it was a few years ago:

"Previously, I spent two and a half years running through forest plantations with a rifle. Of course, that hasn't completely disappeared. But today, reconnaissance is primarily about drones. We locate the enemy and cut off their logistics, creating a de facto encirclement. And then, if necessary, we finish off what's left."

Павялічыць

Uladzislau notes: modern warfare less and less requires large infantry assaults.

"Simply sending people into an attack today is very expensive. Before any assault, there must now be extensive drone work. If it's done correctly, the assault itself might not even be necessary. People simply retreat on their own. Out of fear, from having no food, no ammunition, no possibility of getting help. Those who do not retreat will be killed by drones. But those who try to retreat will also be killed by drones during their retreat," says our interlocutor.

However, he deliberately does not disclose all the details of his unit's operations.

"We are currently forming a new group as part of an assault unit. And that's why we now need transport," Uladzislau emphasizes.

"Without a car, you're simply helpless"

He notes: while cars were previously massively used to transport fighters directly to a point, this is almost no longer the case. Enemy drones simply won't allow them to drive there. For the last few kilometers, people walk. But the second and third lines — these logistical hubs, where launch pads for FPV drones, reconnaissance drones, "mid-strikes" are located — all of this has not disappeared. And all of this relies on vehicles.

"A car is irreplaceable almost everywhere: to go to the training ground, pick up drones, get to a transshipment point. If it's a ground-based robotic complex, it needs to be brought on a trailer. If they are large drones — likewise. If you need to deliver water, food, batteries, generators — a reliable car is also needed.

We depended on cars then, and we still do. Even more so. A rifle is no longer as essential today because there isn't as much direct shooting as there was three years ago. But if you don't have a car — you're simply helpless. What will you do on foot? How will you carry ammunition? How will you deliver food and water? How will you transport people?" the volunteer says.

But, as it turned out, for front-line soldiers, cars are not just equipment. Uladzislau speaks of one of his cars as if it were an old friend:

"I have a Honda, beaten-up and rebuilt. I even painted "Pahonia" (the historical coat of arms of Belarus) on the doors. It seems to me that this car's history is more interesting than many soldiers'. Journalist Nikita Melkaziorau participated in its delivery, and guys from Oxford raised money for it," says the warrior.

Павялічыць

"Initially, our regiment commander, Dzianis "Kit," drove it. He and I drove all over Kupyansk and its surroundings in the winter of 2023, establishing interaction with neighboring units. The guys from the 103rd Brigade, 202nd Separate Territorial Defense Battalion, were especially memorable. I hope they are all alive and well. "Kit" himself told me a lot about the war and shared valuable experience while we drove along dirt roads and through abandoned villages.

Later, my other good combat brother-in-arms, Major Dave Smith from Canada, took over this "Honda." He became my mentor, teaching me planning and that the main weapon is the mind, not the rifle. "Whiteboards win wars" (this is a well-known English military expression meaning that wars are won not only on the battlefield but also in headquarters – through good planning. — NN) — he always repeated.

Then the car was reanimated again, and I drove it in the National Guard. How many potholes it traversed, how many people it transported, how much work it did."

Павялічыць

And then he mentions another car — a Toyota Hilux, for which Belarusian singer Margarita Liauchuk raised money. She helped and continues to help Belarusian warriors:

"The car was brought to us from England. We simply called it "Liachuk's car." We drove it near Kupyansk. Once, due to my mistake, the driver took the wrong road. The car got entangled in a mess and stopped literally half a meter from anti-tank mines. A little more, and the driver and passengers in the car would have died on the spot. Later, this car literally had to be pulled out from under fire. The car was shot at, its windows were smashed, and doors were riddled.

Someone said: "Just abandon it." But we replied: "No. We will get Liachuk's car out of there." At night, we organized an entire rescue operation. In winter, stealthily, we crawled to this car, spent half the night cutting wire, replaced all the wheels, started it, and still managed to pull it out. Afterwards, we repaired it — and it was back to work on the Zaporizhzhia direction. Of course, it's a shame when these cars get destroyed, so many stories are connected with them."

Over four years of war, finding a good all-terrain vehicle has become much more difficult:

"At the beginning of the war, these old jeeps cost pennies. Nobody bought them en masse. But over four years, everything that could be found has literally been scraped up. A car that cost five thousand euros back then will now cost ten. And even then, you have to search to avoid finding some wreck. Despite this, they still quickly break down due to broken roads, heavy loads, and, of course, drones," says Uladzislau.

Павялічыць

That is why even the fundraiser currently open, he admits, will not cover all expenses:

"We wanted to open a fundraiser for a larger sum. But we decided not to be greedy and reduced it. Although, in reality, this money will still not be enough. We will still seek help from Ukrainians."

He emphasizes that the Ukrainian army and volunteers are also doing everything they can:

"They are already straining themselves, supplying their units. Of course, they help us too to some extent. But it's simply not enough for everyone. When the war first started, there was a large flow of aid. There were cars, there was money, people were eager to help. Now several years have passed. People are tired; everyone has their own life, their own problems. We are also tired. But our needs haven't disappeared because of that."

"Russians and Ukrainians Learn From Each Other"

Over four years, not only technologies but also the tactics of both armies have changed. Uladzislau notes that Ukraine and Russia increasingly act like mirror images:

"The tactics are very similar. They changed simultaneously because they are fighting against each other. One side invented something — the other observed and started doing the same."

One of the main differences, in his opinion, is that Ukraine earlier focused on the development of unmanned systems:

"Ukrainians previously created separate Unmanned Systems Forces. The Russians saw this and also caught up. Now they also have very strong drone operator units."

Another sign of modern warfare is the almost complete disappearance of a continuous front line:

"Previously, there was a continuous line of trenches: here we are, there they are. Now there is no such thing. There can be half a kilometer between positions. Everything is controlled from above by drones. As soon as the weather interferes with observation — rain, fog — the Russians immediately become active. Instead of massive attacks, the tactic of small groups is now increasingly used. They can spend a week moving one or two people at a time into some basement. One passed through — well, they passed through. Another passed through — nothing special either. And after a week, there are already twenty people there. And then try to dislodge them from there."

It is against such groups that former reconnaissance officers now operate:

"What I used to do has not disappeared entirely either. Now, former reconnaissance and assault specialists increasingly become counter-sabotage groups. We search for those who have already infiltrated the rear, and we deal with them there."

Павялічыць

At the same time, one significant advantage of Russia, according to the interlocutor, still remains:

"They massively use guided aerial bombs. This winter and spring, I spent 57 days near Kharkiv. The village where we were stationed was a logistical hub — communication specialists, drone operators. And they simply methodically razed it house by house. When I arrived there, it was still a village. After 57 days, almost nothing was left of it."

At the same time, Ukrainians continue to place their main bet on drones:

"The Russians have more people. They can afford to throw these small groups — cannon fodder — at positions. One must understand — these people are essentially going on a one-way trip. Ukraine cannot do that. Both morally, and simply because there aren't that many people. Therefore, Ukrainians rely much more on drones and technology."

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