As Forbes writes, this tactic is based on deploying drones near key routes, where they record the sounds emitted by passing vehicles. Upon detecting possible military equipment, the operator can strike with the drone itself or call in artillery or other attack drones.
“Although technically this method is simple, it can have a significant impact on the battlefield, allowing Russian forces to control and restrict movement along key routes for a long time,” the publication notes.
What is the essence of this innovation?
The main advantage of this method is that, unlike visual surveillance, the drone does not need to see the road directly. This allows it to remain unnoticed while detecting moving vehicles.
Senior Sergeant Vitaliy Piasetsky of Ukraine’s 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade explained that Russian forces deploy drones on tall buildings, near public transport stops, and along logistics routes to monitor vehicle movement.
When a drone detects the sound of an approaching vehicle, this information is transmitted to its operator. Upon receiving the alert, the operator can verify the target and decide the best way to attack it – for example, calling in artillery fire or directing an attack drone at the vehicle.
Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have previously used armed FPV drones to set ambushes near roads. However, as Forbes points out, the new Russian method allows the drone to remain unnoticed from the road. Moreover, this way the operator can detect an approaching vehicle from a greater distance than visually, giving more time to prepare a strike.
The new tactic is especially important
“Gray zones” are mostly infiltrated on foot, but roads remain extremely important for military operations. Once Russian or Ukrainian forces establish positions, constant supply is necessary, usually carried out by vehicles or ground robots using roads.
Additionally, roads play an important role for Ukrainian forces trying to eliminate Russian troop strongholds.
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“Ukrainian forces have recently started using mechanized tactics and use armored fighting vehicles to clear these positions. Therefore, both sides actively attack vehicles and robots moving along these routes to secure control of the ‘gray zones,’” Forbes writes.
However, especially in urban areas, the complex road network makes it difficult to monitor every route. This is particularly relevant for Russian forces, who lack experienced drone operators. The new Russian drone tactic allows monitoring more routes without operators having to constantly control drones flying over each one.
“Broadly speaking, this tactic provides Russia with a relatively inexpensive way, using existing drone technology, to prevent the opponent from freely operating in certain areas and may complicate Ukrainian forces’ movement through the ‘gray zones,’” the article states.
Situation at the front
Earlier, a French analyst said that fortifications already established in Donbas have become an unexpected obstacle even for the Ukrainian armed forces themselves.
Continuous lines of trenches, barbed wire, and anti-tank obstacles are an effective measure against Russian infiltration tactics. However, they also hinder Ukrainian soldiers’ free movement in the frontline zone.
Of course, Ukrainians have left narrow passage corridors in these defense lines, and Russians try to attack Ukrainian equipment precisely in these places.
