North of the recently liberated village of Andriivka, FPV drone operators from the Pentagon Unmanned Systems Battalion of Ukraine's 225th Separate Assault Regiment eliminated another group of russian soldiers attempting to cross a river using inflatable boats.
According to the unit, the group attempted to reach Ukrainian-controlled bridgehead at a well-known crossing point. Unlike previous attempts, the soldiers used no boat engines, relying solely on paddles in an apparent effort to reduce noise and avoid detection.
Read more: Ukrainian FP-2 Drones Hit Key russian Logistics Node in Luhansk Region (Video)
The tactic proved ineffective. Ukrainian FPV drone detected the group while they were still on the water, tracking their movement as they approached the crossing point. The drone's onboard camera recorded the moment the soldiers realized they had been spotted.
Footage released by the Battalion shows one of the soldiers attempting to return fire from the inflatable boat, cigarette still in his mouth. The attempt was brief and ineffective, underscoring the vulnerability of troops exposed on open water.
Seconds later, the FPV drone struck its target, destroying the boats and killing the personnel onboard. The crossing attempt ended before the group could reach the riverbank, effectively neutralizing the threat to the Ukrainian position.
This stretch of river has become a persistent pressure point, with russian forces repeatedly attempting to reinforce or regain access to the bridgehead. For several weeks, FPV operators from the 225th Regiment have systematically targeted such movements, turning the crossing into a lethal bottleneck.
As Defense Express previously reported, operators of the Perun Unmanned Systems Battalion repelled a large-scale enemy assault involving heavy equipment, according to an official report released on December 17.
Video footage published on the Battalion's channel shows coordinated drone strikes carried out during the engagement. The attack was conducted in cooperation with adjacent friendly units, indicating a combined defensive effort rather than an isolated action.
Read more: Ukraine's Perun Battalion Hits Tanks, IFVs, and Quad Bikes in Drone Defense (Video)
