Some Ukrainian forces are "suffering" from Russia's use of night-vision drones, a Ukrainian soldier said.
An aerial scout from Ukraine's 58th Separate Brigade told the Kyiv Post that Russia was actively using these types of first-person-view (FPV) drones in the direction of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
"They brought night FPV to our direction, they are actively using it. And they increased the flight range, now we are suffering a lot from this," he said.
The drones have both light-sensitive cameras, which can see in the dark with minimal lighting, and the more dangerous thermal cameras, per the outlet.
These types of drones pose problems for Ukrainian forces, as they often move personnel and equipment in the dark to avoid attacks.
Russia had previously been reported to have added thermal-imaging cameras to some drones, per Forbes.
While these cameras have lower resolutions compared to standard video cameras, they are a potentially game-changing tool for Russian forces, per the report.
Ukraine also has the technology to produce drones with thermal-imaging cameras, but their high price means they haven't been a priority.
"Ukrainian manufacturers also have all these technologies and can produce FPV drones with thermal imaging cameras, but the main problem is the price," a spokesperson for the volunteer group Escadrone, a major producer of FPV drones for Ukraine, told Forbes.
"If a regular FPV drone costs $500, then the same drone with a thermal imaging camera will cost about $2,500," they added.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, earlier this week, claiming to show its 59th Motorized Brigade using night-vision drones to strike two Russian infantry fighting vehicles.
"Our night-vision drones prevail over darkness," the department wrote in the post.
"Two Russian IFVs decided that it was safe to move at night. However, the occupiers were fatally mistaken," it added.
It is not clear whether Russia has begun mass-producing drones with night vision cameras.
But one commander of a Ukrainian drone attack unit told the Kyiv Post that Russia likely had the capabilities to produce such drones at an "industrial level."
FAQs
A Ukrainian soldier said they were 'suffering' from Russia's use of night-vision drones, says report. Some Ukrainian forces are struggling against Russia's night-vision drones, a soldier told the Kyiv Post. The soldier said the drones were being used in the direction of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region.
How have drones helped Ukraine? ›
Ukraine's innovative use of drones has allowed the country to counter Russia's far greater resources and strike back at targets everywhere from the Black Sea to oil refineries deep inside Russia itself.
What drone technology is used in the Russian Ukraine war? ›
Drones can track targets over extended period and generate comprehensive and actionable intelligence. Drones equipped with special payloads can undertake electronic warfare (EW) and signal intelligence (SIGINT) tasks. Both Russia and Ukraine are effectively using UAVs for ISR and targeting operations.
How far can an Ukrainian drone fly? ›
Ukraine has also developed the UJ-22 drone, featuring a winged design that allows the aircraft to deliver precision bombing strikes on static targets within a range of 800 km.
Why is Russia using drones? ›
LONDON, July 26 (Reuters) - Russia has begun including new, cheaply-made drones in its long-range attacks on Ukraine, to try to identify air defences, film any damage and act as decoys, a Ukrainian military spy official said.
Who is supplying Ukraine with drones? ›
Following a meeting of the US-led Ukraine Defence Contact Group last month, which convenes more than 50 countries in providing military support to Ukraine, the Defence Secretary announced that the UK would co-lead an international capability coalition with Latvia to bolster Ukraine's drone capabilities.
What weapon does Russia use against drones? ›
5 A Russian fighter with an improvised anti-drone gun apparently made up of five AK-74 rifles fitted with trigger bars that fire all the guns simultaneously. The weapon array was photographed in Ukraine's Kherson region in June.
How do drones help the military? ›
Military drones for ISR operations enhance constant surveillance, gather vital intelligence, and help safeguard military units. These systems are particularly beneficial during nighttime rest or in challenging terrains.
What drones has the US given to Ukraine? ›
Aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Systems
- 20 Mi-17 helicopters;
- Switchblade Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS);
- Phoenix Ghost UAS;
- CyberLux K8 UAS;
- Altius-600 UAS;
- Jump-20 UAS;
- Hornet UAS.
- Puma UAS;
Alongside wagon-loads of weapons, a number of Estonian companies have gotten involved in helping Ukraine, including Milrem, quadcopter producer Krattworks, and others. Milrem got its start in 2013, offering robotic vehicles about half the size of a car.
Indeed, in early 2024, Ukraine launched a new branch of the country's armed forces dedicated exclusively to drones. There are few reasons to believe the role of FPV drones will diminish in the coming years.
