Ukraine deploys Shablja: The unmanned turrets turning the tide in war with Russia

The 1st Independent Mechanized Battalion of Ukraine, "Da Vinci Wolves," named after Dmytro Kotsiubailo, has been equipped with unmanned turrets named "Shablja" (Sabers). These "Sabers" are essentially 7.62 mm caliber machine guns mounted on an unmanned wheeled platform, "Rys". Experts are of the opinion that this type of unmanned turrets, coupled with drones (frequently used by Ukrainian forces), can provide effective protection for soldiers by eliminating enemies from a safe distance.

"Shablja" is a remotely controlled combat module made in Ukraine. The turret is operated remotely using a controller, making it possible to combat Russian invaders from afar. The "Rys" platform facilitates efficient transportation of weapons to the target location. The platforms are remotely controlled by the army and dispatched on combat missions, eliminating the necessity for manual transportation of systems by Ukrainian soldiers.

Ukrainian soldiers highlight several advantages of the new weapon. Primary benefits include enhancing soldier safety through the use of unmanned weapons. However, the utilization of "Shablja" also impacts the morale of the enemy. According to "Da Vinci Wolves" soldiers, enemies respond differently when combating drones or comparable unmanned weapons. They also note that this solution is very cost-effective, as each "saber" is priced around $22,000.

The success of Ukrainian soldiers using unmanned weapons is not a recent revelation. There's even chatter of a "drone war," as such weapons are being employed by both sides. However, they are typically less effectively deployed by the Russians. This, in turn, leads to combat on a completely different front. One significant area of competition is electronic warfare, where drone pilots and the creators of jamming systems are at odds. In this domain, the Russians have been recently observed to be struggling.