In the skies over Donetsk region, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces are steadily tipping the balance of aerial reconnaissance and attack with their own drones. Operators from the Raid 413th Battalion have been successfully intercepting a range of russian UAVs, from cheap FPV attackers to sophisticated tactical reconnaissance platforms.
A spectrum of threats neutralized:
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- Molniya-2: A small, fixed-wing FPV attack drone boasting up to 40 km of control range and an estimated price of just $300. Its low cost makes it a favorite for quickly fielded attacks, but its limited endurance and simple guidance make it vulnerable to counter-drone measures.
- Zala Z-16 and Supercam S-350: Tactical reconnaissance drones with ranges of 70 km and 100 km respectively, valued at $70 000 and $100 000. These systems carry stabilized electro-optical sensors and can linger for hours over target areas, providing real-time intelligence to russian commanders.
- Orlan-10: One of the russian military's workhorse reconnaissance UAVs, with a 120 km range and a price tag of around $90 000. It carries multispectral sensors and can relay imagery directly to ground-station networks.
The Unmanned Systems Forces don't stop at reconnaissance platforms. They've also begun countering the Shahed-136 drones, Iranian-made design that russian troops have used to terrorize Ukrainian civilians. With ranges exceeding 1 000 km and a warhead payload of roughly 20 kg, the Shahed drone pose a serious threat to both military and civilian infrastructure, but Ukrainian anti-drone tactics are evolving to meet that challenge.
By knocking down enemy UAVs across the capability spectrum, from $300 FPV toys to six-figure tactical systems, Ukraine's drone forces inflict financial losses, blind russian reconnaissance efforts, and protect critical assets on the ground.
As russia leans ever more heavily on unmanned systems to compensate for its conventional shortcomings, Ukraine's ability to contest control of the skies may prove decisive in the prolonged struggle.
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