Ukraine’s Innovative Drone Tactics Pose ‘Extreme Danger’ to Russian Forces, Says Putin Ally

According to Dmitry Rogozin, former head of Russia’s space agency, Ukraine’s innovative use of heavy attack drones, known as Baba Yaga, in combination with nimble first-person-view (FPV) drones, is proving to be a formidable threat to Russian forces in the ongoing war. Flying in tandem at night, these drone squadrons are reportedly “extremely dangerous” for Russian troops on the ground.

Ukraine’s Drone Development and Deployment

The protracted 25-month war in Ukraine has catalyzed rapid advancements in Drone Technology, with Kyiv demonstrating ingenuity in its deployment of unmanned vehicles across air, land, and sea. FPV Drones, in particular, have become iconic in Ukraine’s efforts, serving both as reconnaissance tools guiding artillery strikes and as explosive-laden weapons delivering dramatic strikes against Russian vehicles.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s minister of digital transformation, emphasized their efficiency, stating that “they work sometimes even more efficiently than artillery.”

The Nightly Drone War

Under the cover of darkness, Ukraine deploys its Baba Yaga drones, often in coordination with FPV drones. Flying at speeds of around 37 mph, the Baba Yaga drones are slower than their FPV counterparts but can carry substantial munitions. Samuel Bendett from the U.S. think tank CNA noted that defending against UAVs at night is far more challenging, and Russia currently lacks a comparable drone capable of carrying the same payload in low-light conditions.

Russian Efforts to Counter Ukraine’s Drone Advantage

As the drone war escalates, both sides are investing heavily in drone development, mass production, and deployment, with hundreds of drones being expended daily. Russia is reportedly attempting to reverse-engineer downed Baba Yaga drones and develop their own equivalent to counter Ukraine’s advantage.

However, as Bendett pointed out, “Ukrainians are experts in flying these UAVs,” and their tactic of using a lighter drone to attack a target before the Baba Yaga releases its explosives has proven effective.

The stark assessment from a former Russian official underscores the significant impact of Ukraine’s innovative drone tactics on the battlefield. As the war continues, the drone race between the two nations is likely to intensify, with both sides seeking to gain the upper hand in this critical aspect of modern warfare.