Drone dogfights: Ukraine’s novel strategy to counter Russian reconnaissance UAVs

In another indication of the ever-evolving role of drones in warfare, several videos of drone-on-drone battles have surfaced lately in the Russo-Ukrainian war.

UAVs have reshaped the battlefield in Ukraine, enabling the destruction of equipment worth millions of dollars with $500 drones, and defining offensive measures due to their reconnaissance function. Due to this, both Ukraine and Russia have raced to establish drone superiority, with Russia leading in terms of numbers.

Particularly troublesome for Ukraine was the presence of large, sophisticated reconnaissance UAVs that venture far from the frontline and guide missile strikes on Ukrainian military objects deep in Ukraine’s rear, giving Russia a strategic advantage.

The latest videos suggest Ukraine may have found a cost-effective countermeasure to these reconnaissance drones amid a lack of air defense and electronic warfare systems.

In one video, an onboard camera filmed an unnamed First Person View (FPV) drone, which have become a replacement for artillery for Ukrainian soldiers amid a lack of ammunition, ramming into a ZALA reconnaissance drone. The outcome is unclear.

Drone-on-drone fights become increasingly more common in the Russo-Ukrainian war

Here an unknown FPV drone with a VTX 2.5W transmitter is seen striking a Russian ZALA 421-16E recon drone, crucial for Russian offensive operations

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