“It’s really tough—drones can see people walking”: Canadian volunteer describes realities on Ukraine’s winter front lines

Holding positions on Ukraine's front lines during a wet, cold winter is extremely difficult, says Brittney Shki-giizis, also known as Zhuk, a Canadian of Indigenous descent serving in the Ukrainian forces. She has transitioned from a tank crew member to an FPV drone operator, UkrInform reports. 

The winter of 2026 has been one of the coldest in the last 10 years, with temperatures dropping to -25°C (-13°F). 

Canada vs. Ukraine: different winter conditions

Zhuk has explained that while Canadian winters can reach -30° to -40°, the climate is dry, making it feel different from Ukraine’s -10° to -5° in damp conditions.

“Where I live, the weather is very cold, but it’s dry cold, completely different. Sitting in positions in wet cold is very hard,” she notes. 

Staying warm on the frontline: candles, chemical heaters, sleeping bags

Soldiers place chemical heaters in gloves, boots, or sleeping bags and use candles in dugouts to maintain heat.

Regarding rotations, she said the hardest part is moving between positions.

“You have to walk through open fields for four, ten kilometers, depending on where the vehicle can pick you up. It’s really tough—winter, no cover, drones can see people walking," Zhuk explains. 

Snow complicates movement further, hiding mines and other obstacles and adding to the danger.

Her unit maintains good rotation schedules, aiming for two weeks per position, sometimes slightly longer if conditions are severe, but commanders try to rotate troops every two weeks.

Maintaining heat and viability on positions directly affects the unit’s ability to repel attacks and defend the country.