Unmanned systems with a 20-kilometer range are already operating at the front in Ukraine, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on April 5. The Ukrainian military continues to expand its use of fiber-optic drones, increasing both their numbers and capabilities, according to Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi.
In March, Ukrainian drones destroyed more than 77,000 Russian targets, a 10% increase from February. Syrskyi also reported that approximately 1,000 Russian reconnaissance drones were neutralized during the same period.
To counter the growing threat of Russian drones, Ukraine is deploying new electronic warfare systems and increasing the number of short-range systems on the front lines.
On April 1, the Brave1 project announced that 15 developers had conducted large-scale tests of fiber-optic FPV drones capable of flying more than 20 kilometers.
These drones have become crucial for Ukraine’s military efforts, with Brave1 noting that fiber-optic drones are among the most in-demand UAV types at the front.
According to Syrskyi,
“unmanned technologies play a key role in modern warfare. With their help, the Defense Forces are now effectively destroying the enemy and its equipment, almost equal to the share of artillery damage. And most importantly, by increasing the role of drones on the battlefield, we are saving the lives of our servicemen.
We continue to increase the number and capabilities of fiber-optic drones. Unmanned systems with a kill range of 20 kilometers are already operating at the front,”
According to the general,
“there is also a positive result in destroying enemy reconnaissance UAVs of the operational and tactical level by our air defense systems and interceptor drones. Thus, about a thousand reconnaissance drones were neutralized in a month. We are continuing this work.
special attention was paid to countering enemy unmanned systems. We are introducing new electronic warfare systems to protect our servicemen. We have significantly increased the number of short-range electronic warfare systems.”
The Commander-in-Chief informed that the combat commanders of the units of unmanned systems “Birds of Madiar”, the 3rd Assault Brigade and others made reports and proposals.
“Unmanned systems are developing rapidly, so we have to keep abreast of technological innovations, and all the best practices in the use of UAVs should be implemented and scaled up quickly,” emphasized Syrskyi.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine initiated the creation of a women’s unit called Harpies, where volunteers will perform combat missions using UAVs and ground drones.
Sources: Ukrinform; New Voice of Ukraine