What does modern warfare actually look like on the front lines in Ukraine?
In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx is joined by former Congressman, Air Force intelligence officer, and filmmaker Denver Riggleman to discuss his new documentary Drone Hunters of Kherson — a firsthand look at the brutal reality of drone warfare in southern Ukraine.
Riggleman shares what he witnessed while traveling through Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odessa alongside Ukrainian drone-hunting teams tasked with defending civilians and soldiers from constant Russian drone attacks.
The conversation explores how the war in Ukraine has evolved into a terrifying hybrid of trench warfare and advanced technological combat — where small drone teams armed with rifles, machine guns, electronic warfare tools, and soon potentially lasers are reshaping the battlefield.
The discussion covers:
• The making of Drone Hunters of Kherson
• How Ukrainian teams shoot down Russian drones in real time
• Why modern drone warfare looks like “Terminator meets World War I”
• Fiber optic drones and why traditional jamming no longer works
• Why Ukraine has become the global leader in drone warfare
• How quickly battlefield technology is evolving
• The future of laser and directed-energy weapons
• Why the U.S. military risks falling behind in drone combat
• The strategic importance of Kherson and southern Ukraine
• Agriculture, mines, and protecting Ukraine’s food supply
• What life looks like for civilians near the front lines
• The psychological reality of constant drone attacks
The episode also explores the broader geopolitical picture surrounding the war, including recent U.S. military aid, Russia’s ongoing offensives, and the long-term importance of supporting Ukraine.
Additional topics include:
• The latest U.S. aid package for Ukraine
• Chernobyl and repairing damage caused by Russian attacks
• Why Riggleman believes stronger U.S. support was needed earlier
• The similarities between the Ukraine war and America’s Civil War
• The human side of Ukrainians fighting relatives and former friends across the border
A major takeaway from the conversation is that Ukrainians are not fighting out of hatred — but out of necessity. Riggleman recounts a moment in Mykolaiv where a Ukrainian told him: “We don’t hate Russians. We just want them to leave us alone.”
The episode highlights both the human cost of the war and the rapid transformation of warfare itself — lessons that will shape military strategy for decades to come.
00:00 — Intro + Denver Riggleman joins
03:55 — Military background and why Ukraine matters
05:56 — Drone Hunters of Kherson documentary
08:21 — Frontline drone teams and combat reality
09:14 — Fiber optic drones and evolving tactics
11:20 — Why Ukraine leads the world in drone warfare
12:07 — Kherson battlefield update and trench warfare
13:56 — Where to watch the documentary
15:11 — Learning to shoot down drones
16:47 — Future laser weapons and directed-energy warfare
20:06 — Why Kherson matters strategically
22:25 — U.S. aid and support for Ukraine
24:06 — Chernobyl, Russia, and nuclear risks
27:13 — Personal reflections from Ukraine
29:16 — Ukraine, Russia, and Civil War comparisons
31:01 — Closing thoughts