Despite technological character of the modern warfare in Ukraine, human factor remains a decisive one — well trained infantry and assault units capable of efficient engagement at the forefront.

This was the key idea of Captain Viacheslav Manager Shutenko, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Battalion, 44 th Separate Mechanized Brigade at the 17 th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR” organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk “Open Ukraine” Foundation.

He stressed that over the past three years, this war has become more technological, and unmanned systems play a decisive role on the battlefield. Hence, Ukraine requires more UAVs and more massive production thereof. At the same time, human forces also remain of utmost importance, and the Army needs infantry today.

“We shall not win this war if we use unmanned systems only. We need infantry, soldiers on the battlefield to counter Russian attacks. As if we wish to regain the temporarily occupied territories, we need well trained and highly motivated assault units to effectively attack”, - the Commander stressed.

At this backdrop, Viacheslav Shutenko stressed the importance of high-quality military education and constant training. “We need to extend and deepen the best combat experience, cutting edge technologies, best tactics that we now have at our fingertips, - the Commander argued.

He added that Ukrainian units and brigades expressly differ by their combat artistry, and it is important to maintain this high level and enhance it.

According to him, international support is of no lesser importance for Ukraine than military support with tanks, artillery and aircraft, or sanctions against Russian economy.

“We need all the above here in Ukraine and now as we fight with one of the strongest armies in the world and we fight not only for our independence and territorial

integrity, but for the whole free world, for democracy, for European values and international security,” – Commander Shutenko said.

“That is why we need to unite again and if we succeed, we’ll do our utmost to incur the greatest possible loss and damage to our foe, so that Russia pleads for negotiations”, - he summed up.

The Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation, is the main platform in this country for discussing issues of war and peace, national and global security.