Shotguns and electronic warfare: Russia's drone defense strategy
The Ukrainian special forces command has released an extensive report on the use of shotguns by Russians as an anti-drone defense. Here's what it includes.
7:36 PM EST, November 5, 2024
The 30-page report, accessed by the portal hartpunkt.de, contains six sections detailing the threats and tactics employed by Russians in the presence of drones, particularly FPV drones.
The report states that the primary anti-drone measures are 12-gauge shotguns paired with electronic warfare systems and passive drone detectors. It notes that Russians often add a specialized "guard" equipped with a semi-automatic shotgun to each unit or open vehicle crew.
This figurative "Ivan with a shotgun" is expected to work alongside electronic warfare system operators or personnel holding a Bułat-3/4 type passive drone detector, which allows for the detection of drones at a distance of 0.6 miles (1 km) or less. Additionally, nearby Russians are to observe the flight paths of Ukrainian drones and attempt to set up ambushes with shooters armed with shotguns or machine guns along anticipated flight routes.
Russian anti-drone defense — its core is semi-automatic shotguns
Russians use a variety of civilian solutions, but according to Ukrainians, two models are used systematically. The first is the Molot Vepr-12, and the second is the Baikal MP-155. Both are semi-automatic designs allowing for rapid fire, but the Vepr-12 is magazine-fed, while the Baikal MP-155 is a classic hunting shotgun with a tubular magazine located under the barrel.
The Molot Vepr-12 is a competitor to the Saiga-12 and is essentially an AK-style rifle redesigned to fire 12-gauge buckshot. Structurally, it is a weapon weighing about 9 lbs (4 kg), and when equipped with muzzle brakes and collimator sights, it becomes highly effective in capable hands. It is fed from box magazines holding 5, 6, or 10 rounds, but drum magazines holding as many as 25 rounds are also available for purchase.
Meanwhile, the Baikal MP-155 holds a maximum of four rounds plus one in the chamber. Russians are also reportedly using single-shot "Rosyanka" inserts for under-barrel grenade launchers like the GP-25. This serves as a last-ditch weapon for soldiers with an AK rifle.
Regarding ammunition, Russians reportedly focus mainly on 12/89 Ultramagnum buckshot ammunition. The 12-gauge doesn't refer to the barrel diameter but rather the number of spherical projectiles that could be cast from a pound of lead for a given bore size. It's currently the most popular gauge, and the chamber length varies, with 2.75 inches (70 mm) being the most common, producing 12/70 gauge bullets. Over time, variations have emerged, with 3.5 inches (89 mm) being the longest for this gauge.
A longer round allows more shot to be packed in, increasing the chance of hitting the target due to a denser wall of lead. Larger shot sizes can also be used, which, as in shorter rounds, means heavier objects are less affected by wind and deliver more energy upon hitting the target.
According to the Ukrainian report, Russians rely on shot with a diameter of 0.14 inches (3.5 mm), with the payload in a projectile being 40-45 grams. When fired, it forms a wall of 150-170 pellets, which, combined with a muzzle velocity of nearly 1,640 feet per second (500 m/s) due to a rich powder load, provides an effective range of 50-75 yards.
This range is good compared to commonly used 12/70 ammunition among athletes (about 30 yards). Still, it falls short of the new Beretta ammunition, which reportedly offers a range of over 100 yards without using long chambers. It should also be noted that Ukrainians widely use shotguns and have soldiers who are experienced in shooting clay pigeons, as it is the cheapest common method of eliminating drones.
