"We turn the life of the Russians into horror": the Armed Forces fighters told what the drone army capable of

Previously, drones were virtually freely used for only one side to find and damage goals, such as US operations in Afghanistan and the Middle East. But in the war between Russia and Ukraine, drones are used in almost every phase of hostilities, and to counteract both sides actively use air defense and radio technical struggle. The main advantage of modern UAVs is optics. Troops can fight many kilometers, watching the enemy and aiming with the help of a bird's view.

In addition, there are drones that can dump bombs or launch rockets. The Armed Forces used such devices for the task of strikes for Russian purposes in occupied Crimea, and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - on civil infrastructure. In the spring, a detachment of "eyes", consisting of groups of four people with reconnaissance UAVs, was created in Ukraine.

They operate throughout the Eastern Front, fulfilling missions daily when there is no rain, find hostile units from the air and pass them on to the artillerymen. Choosing a convenient position near the front line, the military launches a generator, charge spare batteries and connect satellite Internet Starlink to broadcast videos from the drone to the nearest brigades. One of these groups said that the DJI Matrice quadcopter weighing about eight pounds.

This drone became one of the cheapest weapons, because together with screens and other equipment it cost $ 40,000. Such commercial UAVs made the war in Ukraine unique because they provide a wide overview of the battlefield and significantly increase the accuracy of artillery fire. Even cheaper are Chinese drones DJI Mavic (about $ 4000) that use both sides.

Russian General Yuri Baluyevsky, who in the past was the commander -in -chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, in his book called him "a true symbol of modern war". According to the military, there are so many "Maviikans" on the front now that it is difficult for Ukrainian soldiers to distinguish - it flies or alien. If the drone hangs over the position instead of flying by, it can simply knock it down. Mavic is just one drone from a huge list.

The Armed Forces Autel Robotics, which, like DJI, is also based in China, as well as German UAV VAKtor and Cyprus Poseidon. In November, conventional quadcopters helped the Armed Forces a rapid offensive in the Kherson region. The special forces unit made explosive shells using gas bottles and dropped them into mine fields, clearing the path of land troops. Mavic quadcopters are most commonly used as a psychological weapon.

For example, in Kharkiv, the Volunteer Battalion "Khartia" drops small ammunition from the drones to the basics of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Such attacks do not cause significant losses, but make the soldiers in constant fear for their lives and wait for more powerful blows. "We can constantly turn their lives into horror," said Alexander Dubinsky, a drone operator from the Charter.