TechSuccessful drone hunt. Russian operators surprised in hideout

Successful drone hunt. Russian operators surprised in hideout

A scene from the film released by Ukrainians
A scene from the film released by Ukrainians
Images source: © 11th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine

12:22 PM EDT, October 11, 2023

Drone clashes are becoming a symbol of modern warfare. Behind each drone operating in the combat zone, there is an operator or even a whole team. On October 9, Ukrainian soldiers using a remotely controlled FPV drone, located and destroyed a hideout occupied by a crew of Russian drone operators.

Conflicts involving the use of various types of unmanned flying vehicles are a symbol of modern warfare (especially after the recent actions of Hamas, which is attacking Israel with large quantities of previously undisclosed drones). On the Ukrainian battlefield, we have been witnessing these struggles since the very beginning of the conflict. However, now we have a clear trace of what the hunt of one group of drone operators for another looks like.

FVP Drones

FVP drones are primarily machines in which the operator controls from a first-person perspective (first person view) using images from onboard vehicle cameras. Traditional drones and UAVs are usually navigated by operators from the operator's position standing on the ground, or with the help of external image sources or navigation data.

The range of FVP drones is typically around 6.2 miles depending on the model. This makes them ideal for the role of kamikaze drones, when an appropriately large explosive charge is mounted in them. The "Lastivka" unmanned aerial systems unit belonging to the 11th National Guard Brigade used a drone in this role during an attack on a Russian team operating drones in the Kherson region. An additional advantage of having cameras on the drone is the ability to record a video of the attack. The Ukrainians later shared the recording on social media.

Hunting for hostile drone operators

The Russian crew hiding in a residential building belonged to the "Judgment Day" unit and was likely tracked down by the Ukrainians much earlier using a social media analysis or recordings from a captured Russian drone. Considering the secondary explosion visible on the recording, it's highly likely that the kamikaze drone explosion also caused the detonation of ammunition or prepared action Russian assault drones stored in the residence.

Of course, this is not the only achievement of the Ukrainians. The portal mil.in.ua also mentions a group of Russian drone operators who were eliminated in early August on the site of a former airport in Donetsk.

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