russian sources have published footage from their own FPV drone showing a Ukrainian FP-1/2 UAV that, for unknown reasons, crashed into the water. Based on the terrain and other factors, it is likely that the incident occurred in one of the bays of temporarily occupied Crimea following another Ukrainian strike on russian targets.
However, this case would not be particularly noteworthy if the footage did not show two FPV drones mounted on the wing of the FP-1/2. These are the first images of this UAV in a mothership configuration, a concept that has long been discussed and anticipated.
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Russian drone operator examines a downed Ukrainian FP-1/FP-2 UAV employed as an FPV drone carrier that ditched into the water. The mothership is equipped with a Starlink antenna. pic.twitter.com/4gNQiJiUFq
— Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) May 1, 2026
Importantly, one of the FPV drones appears to carry a relatively large flat antenna, which could be a compact Starlink terminal. The second FPV drone does not have such an antenna visible, possibly because it detached during the impact when the carrier drone crashed.
If the FPV drone is indeed equipped with a Starlink antenna, this suggests that in this configuration the FP-1/2 is not acting as a relay, but purely as a carrier. In other words, after delivering the FPV drones to the target area, it could continue its mission and strike another target independently.
Despite carrying two FPV drones, the FP-1/2 likely still retains a significant warhead. Given that the strike likely took place over temporarily occupied Crimea, where the FP-2 variant is known to operate with a 105 kg warhead, it can be assumed that in this configuration the payload might be around 60 kg, although this remains speculative.
The likely targets for these FPV drones would include sensitive equipment, as well as russian mobile fire groups attempting to intercept Ukrainian medium- and long-range strike drones, effectively clearing the way for subsequent waves.
Interestingly, the FP-1/2 configured as a mothership was painted green, which is unusual, as these drones had previously only been observed in a silver finish. Moreover, long-range drones are typically painted black to reduce visibility against the night sky.
It is also worth noting that earlier this month, a new version of the FP-1/2 was observed equipped with suspended containers carrying graphite filaments designed to disable russian power infrastructure, something russian sources have openly complained about.
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