- Video footage shows apparent Ukrainian drones flying into open hatches on Russian armored vehicles.
- They suggest a level of precision by its operator, an invaluable skill for both Ukraine and Russian forces.
A newly surfaced video shows what are said to be Ukrainian drones flying directly into small open hatches on Russian armored vehicles, demonstrating impressive flying skills on the part of the drone operators.
On Wednesday, an apparent Ukrainian service member identifying as part of an unmanned aerial vehicle unit known as the Magyar Birds with the 59th Motorized Brigade shared a video on Telegram of Ukrainian first-person-view (FPV) drones flying into the open hatches of enemy vehicles. The first part shows a drone flying through what appears to be smoke billowing from the vehicle into a small hatch on the side.
—Dmitri (@wartranslated) November 2, 2023
Insider was not able to independently verify the details of the footage, including when and where it was filmed.
The second portion of the video shows an FPV drone locating and gliding directly into the open top hatch of another armored vehicle, and the third part of footage shows a similar incident.
The English translation of the voiceover of the footage reads: "If a direct hit isn't working, then the mastery and experience of the pilot becomes most important."
Some portions of the video do show vehicles either on fire and smoking or not moving, meaning they may have been incapacitated prior to the FPV strike. Others may have been caught off guard.
The video clearly shows the effect of these drones in battle. Once they've made contact with their target, they detonate, causing massive damage. In the case of this footage, the result is devastating, as the drones were able to fly inside the vehicles rather than implode against exterior armor, which may nullify some of the impact.
Both Russia and Ukraine have made modifications to their armored vehicles and tanks in an attempt to defend them against the growing threat of drones, the exploding FPV drones in particular, by adding additional armor and by welding crude cages onto the top of their vehicles for extra protection.
There have been other examples of precise drone targeting on the battlefield. One from September, for instance, showed a Ukrainian drone navigating a dense forest just a few feet off the ground and adeptly flying into a Russian hideout. There have also been numerous videos of FPV drones targeting the weak points, such as points around the turret, on enemy tanks.
Videos such as this one highlight both the enduring role of UAVs in the war in Ukraine, as well as the considerable skill required to fly them. Both factors have made drone operators invaluable assets to their allies — and valuable targets for their enemies. In some cases, operators will use their drones to target each other, hoping to diminish the enemy's ability to fly them.
In battle, Ukraine has prioritized the use of cheap, hobby drones, equipping them with explosives and using them to take out asymmetric targets like Russian T-72 and T-80 tanks or drop bombs on unsuspecting soldiers. In more high-profile attacks, Ukraine has also operated drones behind enemy lines, dolling out impressive strikes on critical Russian aircraft and bases.
Russia, likewise, has also been increasingly using drones in combat, moving beyond using exploding drones to attack Ukrainian cities and terrorize civilians to using them to target Ukrainian troops, weapons, and vehicles.