Ukrainian agricultural workers take up arms to protect front-line farms

Ukrainian agricultural managers operating near the front lines are increasingly taking up arms to protect their operations and secure food production from Russian aerial attacks. Before Russia's full-scale invasion, industry professionals managed global supply chains and international grain exports. However, the proximity of active combat has forced workers to directly defend agricultural infrastructure against incoming reconnaissance and attack drones.

Managers in affected areas, such as Viktor Hordienko, now balance daily farming operations with active self-defense measures, including using shotguns to shoot down hostile unmanned aerial vehicles. Despite constant security hazards and severe economic disruption, agricultural staff continue working to sustain Ukraine's domestic food supplies and export capacity. Industry members emphasize that sustaining operations near combat zones requires civilian workers to assume defense roles to ensure economic survival.

Sources: LSM.