At the end of December last year, the first footage appeared online showing the Ukrainian military using rather unusual FPV drones equipped with shotguns. These drones proved to be quite effective against reconnaissance drones of the russian occupation forces.
Now, new footage has emerged of this weaponry being used by Ukrainian soldiers. Although these instances are currently isolated rather than widespread, it is likely that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are working on scaling up this method of countering russian drones.
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In the footage below, we can see several instances of a shotgun-equipped FPV drone flying very close to a russian drone and then shooting it down with precision, while the operator captures the fall of the russian drone through the camera.
Куп'янщина, Синьківка, ПетропавлівкаУкраїнський дрон збиває 3 російські мавіки за допомогою дробовика(!) Потім з нього ж добиває підара. pic.twitter.com/npx1Mph9U5— A ꑭ (@_shpk) January 11, 2025
The video is also noteworthy because the aerial shotgun is used against a russian infantryman. Although the shot did not manage to eliminate the enemy soldier, it appears that the same FPV drone was used to drop a grenade on the target.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that Ukrainian anti-aircraft FPV drones were successfully hitting targets deep in the rear, a significant development that greatly limits the russians' ability to deploy reconnaissance units.
Among the latest noteworthy news about FPV drones, it should also be mentioned that the Ukrainian military is now launching them from surface drones. For instance, two russian Pantsir missile systems were destroyed in this manner in the Kherson region.
Read more: First, Ukrainian FPV Drones Destroyed Two Pantsir Systems in Kherson, Then It Was Revealed They Were Launched from a Naval Drone