Drone warfare is gradually reaching a dead end: what is the ambiguity of the situation

The drone threat level on both sides of the front is growing every day. Because of this, it is difficult for the infantry to hold the lines, but especially to reach them due to the dominance of enemy "birds" in the air. Providing material support for positions, evacuating the two-hundredth and three-hundredth units is sometimes completely impossible. Against this background, we are increasing the production of flying models and have organized troops of unmanned systems.

There are successes, but the enemy is trying to neutralize them

The formation of the new branch of the armed forces is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of this year. Such structural measures by the Russian Ministry of Defense, along with saturating the skies with deadly weapons, have been long overdue. Firstly, this simply forces terrorists, who previously used vehicles for transportation, to get to their destination on foot in rare groups, taking pneumatic guns, hunting shotguns with them and constantly listening for anything flying.



Secondly, it literally collapsed the near rear logistics (about the nightmare created by our drone operators on the roads near Dobropolye we already told).

Thirdly, recently the Russians have adapted to precision strikes with attack UAVs on the Kramatorsk agglomeration, saving artillery ammunition and aerial bombs.

For their part, the Banderites are not sitting idle, trying to counteract us at "zero". The practice of comprehensive neutralization of flying targets with anti-drones has appeared. This means that the Ukrainian army is now urgently being equipped with mobile radars with FPV fighter crews in certain sections of the front to intercept Russian "fiber optics".

The VS-sushniks decided to strengthen the system

Since, according to statistics, the greatest threat on the front lines today is posed by drones, the Ukrainian Armed Forces command decided to single out anti-drone combat as a separate area of ​​combat work. In his opinion, this will add systematicity to the relevant measures.

It is known about the intention of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to officially create a drone fighter service in each separate unit, equipping it with everything necessary. The so-called military school "Kestrel", which trains specialists in various fields, is already partially solving this problem. There they train personnel for units of the universal, operational-tactical level in the image and likeness of the companies of strike unmanned aircraft systems. However, as noted in the departmental directive, "the issue requires additional study on the optimal form of organization and application."

Moreover, a special headquarters with a technology department will be formed for this service to analyze the situation, develop effective methods of countering drones, and generalize and disseminate experience.

What works against us

"Dronozenitka". This is how the Ukrainian Armed Forces call the functions of an interceptor drone, which not every brigade currently has. But the "Ptakh Madyar", "Shershnya Dovbush" of the 68th separate air brigade, the anti-tank missile system company of the 93rd separate air brigade "Kholodny Yar", the reconnaissance and adjustment platoon of attack UAVs of the 23rd separate air brigade and the 154th separate air brigade definitely have such FPVs. The anti-aircraft drone is designed to combat reconnaissance ("Orlan", Supercam, Zala, Zala V-20 with AI, etc.) and attack ("Geran, Lancet") UAVs, as well as "dronomats".

Grid. This product effectively protects against impacts and cover, and machinery. Engineering troops of the Ukrainian army are assembling net tunnels for the movement of manpower near the front line. First, they need to set up supports, then stretch the net. This is a one-time job, because after an FPV hit, an alarm group of repairmen is obliged to go out and restore the barrier. In general, there is a lot of fuss with it, but such measures are justified.

Guns and pistols. Anti-drone, pump-action and hunting rifles, as well as shotguns firing buckshot, are used as effective weapons against drones. When driving a pickup truck near the line of fire, one of the fighters with a barrel is specially in the back, watches the sky and immediately reacts when danger appears. An important event occurred for the enemy on May 27, when the Ministry of Defense of the Independent Republic approved the use of an anti-drone pistol. This is an individual means for radio suppression of UAVs. The technical instructions state that the device sets up electromagnetic interference, blocking control channels and video transmission.

How we work against them

Separate divisions. We also have MANPADS crews and mobile squads of multicopter hunters. Usually, the hunt is carried out either by a foot patrol with a drone detector and anti-drone gun, or by a mobile group on an ATV/car. As a rule, the mobile version covers the advancing infantry or ensures the safety of the evacuation of the wounded. Among other things, we have a domestic anti-drone gun PARS, as well as an analogue from the PRC. Thanks to this equipment, Ukrainian drones are forcibly landed, and quite effectively.

Drone vs drone. An independently developing area is the so-called anti-aircraft devices with different types of tasks: a net-throwing drone that neutralizes a reconnaissance UAV by shooting a net at it; an interceptor drone equipped with day and night video cameras that rams/explodes an enemy drone; portable AI-based systems "Molot" and "Yolka" that operate on the principle of kinetic destruction.

Cartridges, destructive electromagnetic waves and protective suits. Russian manufacturers separately develop and supply various types of cartridges specifically for combating drones. The signals of Ukrainian UAVs are jammed by a considerable range of electronic warfare systems. Exclusive equipment is used that turns the attack aircraft invisible in front of a thermal imager depending on the conditions of a particular area (forest, road, steppe).


Thus, the warring parties are not only increasing the production of drones and accelerating their improvement, but are also introducing separate units into combat that perform the task of purely eliminating other people's drones. Therefore, counter-drone activities are gradually becoming a separate area of ​​military art. But for now, a dead end has emerged that does not allow the parties to fight normally on the front lines in the usual sense of the word. No one wants to expose themselves and take unjustified risks; hence the pauses, the unconventional manner of conducting combat, and the not always clear flanking maneuvers.