Latest news with #Militarnyi
Forbes
13-07-2025
- Forbes
Ukraine Fields Counter-Drone Rifle Rounds, Disrupting Russian Offensive
Screenshots from a video posted on Facebook from Brave1, a Ukraine defense innovation group. The ... More image shows a new type of rifle round that can be used to shoot down small drones. Over the past three years, drone technology has reshaped the Russia-Ukraine battlefield. In this war, both sides are deploying large numbers of increasingly advanced small drones, forcing a shift away from large formations of armored vehicles, which are easily targeted. Instead, both sides are now using smaller troop formations that are spread out to reduce vulnerability. However, as drones become more widely used, both Ukraine and Russia are now using them to target these smaller formations, who have little protection against them. In response, Ukraine is beginning to produce counter-drone rifle rounds that can be fired from standard assault rifles. These new rounds are arriving at a critical moment and are expected to play a key role in halting Russia's latest offensive. Ukraine's New Counter-Drone Rifle Rounds Brave1, a Ukrainian defense innovation initiative, posted a video on June 30 showing soldiers successfully using a new type of round to destroy a small drone. The round is a standard 5.56 mm cartridge designed for NATO rifles, including the CZ Bren and the M4, both of which are commonly used by Ukrainian forces. Although Brave1 did not disclose the technical specifications, Militarnyi, a Ukrainian military media outlet, indicated that the round is already in limited operational use and provided a description of how it functions. After being fired, the round breaks apart into approximately five fast-moving pellets. When multiple rounds are fired in rapid succession, they produce a shotgun-like spread that can effectively engage drones at ranges of up to 50 meters. Screen capture from Facebook video posted by Brave1, a Ukrainian defense innovation group, showing ... More the new counter-drone rounds. They resemble standard NATO 5.56 rounds and fit into existing magazines. The only visual difference is that the tip of the bullet is blunted. According to Brave1's post, Ukraine is ramping up production to provide each soldier with at least one magazine of these rounds. This approach allows individual soldiers to defend against drones without carrying another heavy system. Instead, when a drone is detected, they can quickly switch to the magazine containing the specialized rounds and begin engaging the target. It effectively gives each soldier the capability of a shotgun without the added burden of issuing and carrying a second weapon. Switching weapons also takes significantly more time and coordination than simply swapping magazines. The Impact Of These Rounds On The New Russian Offensive These new rounds are arriving in Ukraine at a critical time, as small drones are playing a central role in the Russian summer offensive aimed at breaking through entrenched Ukrainian defenses. The current Russian tactics rely on using small drones to locate and target these defensive positions ahead of a ground assault. While this role has traditionally been filled by artillery, drones are more economical, especially given the resource constraints currently facing Russian forces. Screen captures from video posted on social media on July 10, 2025 attributed to the Russian ... More military. A Russian FPV drone identifies a Ukrainian trench (top image). The drone subsequently flies into the trench, with the attack being recorded by another drone (bottom image). Although Ukrainian electronic warfare and air-defense systems will provide some protection, they are likely inadequate to cover the full length of the front. Russia is also deploying drones specifically designed to bypass existing Ukrainian counter-drone systems. These drones are often usable for only a few weeks before they become obsolete, but during that short window, they can be highly effective. Videos have shown that when Ukrainian soldiers identify an incoming drone, they typically try to seek cover since they know that they are unlikely to shoot down their drones with their conventional weapons. These specialized rounds are likely to be highly useful for Ukrainian forces as they hold their positions against the new Russian assault. The rounds have already been codified under NATO standards, signaling Ukraine's intent to begin large-scale production. They are expected to go directly to the front lines, giving soldiers an immediate tool to defend against Russian drones. If the drones are neutralized, Russian forces will have to revert to artillery strikes or attempt direct assaults on fortified positions. Artillery is less precise, more resource intensive, and reveals the location of the firing units, which can then be targeted by Ukrainian drones. Direct assaults without drone support are likely to result in high Russian casualties with minimal success. Broader Impact Of These Counter-Drone Rifle Rounds In the grander scheme, the fielding of these rounds has the potential to break the ongoing cat and mouse game between drone and counter-drone systems. They provide a kinetic method of defeating drones, offering an alternative to the more commonly used non-kinetic electronic warfare systems. Both Ukraine and Russia have relied heavily on electronic warfare to jam or disrupt drone operations by targeting communication and navigation signals. However, these systems are often temporary solutions. Ukrainian counter-drone capabilities tend to be effective only for a limited time before Russian forces adapt and find ways to bypass them. For example, Russia has recently deployed fiber-optic tethered drones, which are immune to electronic interference. By introducing a direct-fire solution, Ukraine is shifting the balance, as it will be far more difficult for Russia to develop small drones that can evade or survive these counter-drone rounds. A Ukrainian serviceman stands guard checking for Russian drones in the sky as a soldier in a tractor ... More digs a trench system in the Zaporizhzhia region, on January 30, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Roman PILIPEY / AFP) (Photo by ROMAN PILIPEY/AFP via Getty Images) The most likely method for Russia to protect its drones from these counter-drone rounds is to avoid detection, since armoring small drones is not realistic. The soldier must detect the drone with enough time to switch magazines, aim, and fire their weapon. This sequence of actions can be quite fast, since training builds it into every soldier's muscle memory. Success still depends on the soldier's ability to pick up the drone's acoustic and visual signatures, which are difficult to conceal. Videos released by both sides show soldiers spotting drones and running before being chased down and killed, demonstrating that these drones are often detected in time for a response. These signatures become more pronounced as drones are made to fly faster or carry heavier payloads. When the war first started, large drones like the TB2 Bayraktar were used to destroy armored vehicles. As the war has progressed and both sides have adopted new tactics and technologies, small FPV drones are now targeting small groups of dismounted troops. These new counter-drone rifle rounds have the potential to push both sides to further evolve their tactics, particularly in how they use drones. In the meantime, these rounds are likely to create significant challenges for the Russian offensive.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Norway to supply Ukraine with twice as many F-16 aircraft as officially announced
Norway plans to transfer significantly more F-16 fighters to Ukraine than previously stated. Source: annual report on the import and export of conventional weapons, cited by Militarnyi Details: The document indicates that Norway intends to provide Ukraine with 14 F-16 aircraft, despite official announcements confirming only 6 fighters. Delivery schedules for the additional unannounced F-16s remain undisclosed. The report does not detail the condition of the eight additional aircraft. They may include airframes unsuitable for flight, potentially used for training technical personnel, disassembly for spare parts, or as decoys. This aligns partially with earlier Norwegian government statements about transferring only combat-ready fighters, decommissioned in 2021. However, it is possible that some of the unannounced F-16s have been repaired and restored to operational condition. In addition to the F-16s, the report mentions the transfer to Ukraine of 20 German-made Dingo 2 armoured vehicles and 2 Norwegian NM189 engineering vehicles, based on the Leopard 1 tank. Background: In May 2025, Norwegian Defence Minister Ture Sandvik announced that all promised F-16 fighters would be transferred to Ukraine by the end of 2025. He confirmed that some aircraft had already been delivered, with the remainder scheduled for dispatch before year-end. In the summer of 2024, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that Ukraine would receive six F-16 fighters from Norway. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Czech company completes construction of projectile production line in Ukraine
Czech defence giant Czechoslovak Group has almost completed the construction of an artillery projectile production line in Ukraine. Source: Ukrainian military news outlet Militarnyi Details: The Czechoslovak Group will soon complete the construction of a production line to manufacture 155 mm artillery projectiles as part of a joint project with the Ukrainian government. "The production site is at the final stage of preparation for launch, but we cannot announce a specific date at this time," the company's representatives said at a briefing at the Czechoslovak Group headquarters. Militarnyi reports that the company will produce the main range of ammunition included in the Czechoslovak Group's production offer. The Czech company is solely responsible for preparing the production line, while the Ukrainian side is responsible for all other organisational processes. In addition, the briefing stressed that the company will be located in an area with a low risk of missile attacks, which will ensure stable and uninterrupted production in the future. The briefing also revealed the types of ammunition that will be produced in Ukraine under the license. These are 155-mm artillery rounds M107, 155-mm artillery rounds L15 of increased power and 155-mm long-range artillery round HE ER-BT/BB MKM/VMK. Additionally, 105-mm high explosive incendiary artillery rounds M1 NE and 120-mm tank rounds of an unspecified type will be produced as well. Background: Ukrainian Armour signed a package of documents on cooperation with the Czech holding Czechoslovak Group (CSG) in October 2024. One agreement concerns the supply of components, and the other concerns the licensing of ammunition production (transfer of technology and documentation for the production of artillery rounds). "We plan to produce and supply about 100,000 rounds of ammunition next year and more than 300,000 in 2026. The equipment preparation process has already started," said Vladyslav Belbas, CEO of Ukrainian Armour. Czechoslovak Group AS reported record sales and profitability for last year as the war in Ukraine boosted demand for heavy ammunition and combat vehicles manufactured by the Prague-based company. Revenue jumped 71% to €1.73 billion (about US$1.9 billion), said the defence conglomerate known as CSG, owned by Czech billionaire Michal Strnad. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation rose 130% to €439 million. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
China's ‘Silent Hunter' laser gun shooting down Ukrainian drones
Russia has been using a Chinese-made laser to shoot down Ukrainian drones despite persistent claims from Beijing it is not offering military support to Moscow. New footage shows Russian troops operating the Silent Hunter Low-Altitude Laser Defence System, and taking out Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) nearly a mile away. The weapon would be one of the most significant and sophisticated pieces of equipment that Russia has obtained from China during the three-year war on Ukraine. Designed to search for, track and take down enemy drones, the laser can be mounted on top of an SUV and operated from within the vehicle. From there, it can detect targets 3.1 miles away, blind them at two miles away and shoot them down when they are a mile out. The 30-kilowatt laser can pierce a 5mm-thick steel plate 1,000m away. It takes just eight seconds between locking onto a target and bringing it down. In a video shared on Russian Telegram channels, the laser is seen slowly emerging from a camouflage net before shooting towards a steel plate in the distance and piercing it with several holes. The video continues with a split screen of the laser shooting down Ukrainian UAVs. Ukraine's Vodohrai Telegram channel claimed the drones in the footage were a Shchedryk-type UAV, a Skywalker X8 and a decoy drone known as the Distractor. The footage suggests the drones were shot down from distances greater than 0.8 miles, according to Ukrainian military news outlet Militarnyi. The report also claimed the laser is being operated by a mobile air defence team within the 'Kochevnik' special operations group and has been in use in Russia since at least Oct 2024. The Silent Hunter was developed by the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and was first put into operation during the G20 summit in Hangzhou, a city in eastern China, in 2016. The system includes radar and an optical station for detection, tracking and targeting. An updated version was revealed in 2024 with an extended hard kill range of 3.7 miles and a soft kill range – the distance needed to blind or interfere – of 6.2 miles. The cost of operating laser weapons is typically less than £10 per shot, which makes them low-cost alternatives to missiles for certain tasks. In comparison, the British Sea Viper missiles that were shot from HMS Diamond in the Red Sea to take down the Iranian-backed Houthis' drones and missiles cost roughly £1 million each. Along with Russia, the Silent Hunter is known to be in use in Saudi Arabia and in Iran. Saudi Arabia has previously deployed the laser system against reconnaissance UAVs used by the Houthi militia in Yemen. Houthis have Iranian-made Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, which are the same as the ones that Russia has used against Ukraine. The Silent Hunter was also spotted in Iran in late 2024 during a public sermon by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It's unclear how many of the laser systems China has manufactured and sold over the years, but so far only one has been reported in use by Russia, becoming the latest in a long list of Chinese equipment allegedly used by Moscow. Chinese aid for Russia In April, two Chinese soldiers were captured in Ukraine, fighting alongside Russian forces. Western intelligence sources said it was unlikely the soldiers were sent directly by China. Russia routinely recruits foreign nationals into its armed forces through irregular means. In any case, Volodymyr Zelensky said: 'Russia's involvement of China, along with other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to do anything but end the war. He is looking for ways to continue fighting.' The US called the capture of Chinese citizens fighting for Russia 'disturbing'. Mr Zelensky further accused China of supplying Russia with weapons and gunpowder. A month later, Oleh Ivashchenko, the head of Ukraine's intelligence service, said that Ukraine could 'confirm' that China was providing important materials and equipment to 20 Russian military factories. According to the agency, at least 80 per cent of the electronics used in Russian drones originated from China. This assessment was backed up by the US state department, which said: 'China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine. China provides nearly 80 per cent of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war.' Beijing denied allegations that it sent weapons and gunpowder claiming that 'China has never provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict' and 'strictly controls dual-use items'. The foreign ministry refused to respond to questions about Russia's use of the Silent Hunter over the phone, instead referring The Telegraph to its daily in person press conference.
Business Insider
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Ukraine is using helium-filled balloons to extend the range of its attack drones
Against the backdrop of Ukraine's drone-packed skies, one startup is offering a surprisingly low-tech solution to a modern problem. Aerobavovna, which was founded in 2023, is supplying Ukraine's military with tethered, helium-filled balloons equipped with airborne radio repeaters, extending the range and effectiveness of the country's drones. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has been defined by drone warfare, but drone operators have faced a number of challenges, including line-of-sight obstacles, which can cause drones to lose contact if radio signals are disrupted, and electronic warfare systems, which can jam communications. That's where Aerobavovna comes in. The company's aerostats are designed for surveillance, communication, and first-person-view (FPV) drone signal transmission, and help establish stable communication signals in the battlefield's tricky conditions. Fitted with antennas and radio repeaters, Aerobavovna's aerostats anchor high over the battlefield to help Ukrainian drones continue operating in spite of obstacles and to maintain comms over much greater distances. You need "some kind of airborne radio repeater that allows drones to fly closer to the ground," Yuriy Vysoven, Aerobavovna's CEO, told Business Insider. "For ground drones, it's crucial because their ground-to-ground signal would only reach the first hill; beyond that, you lose direct line of sight and, consequently, the connection," he said, adding that about 50 balloons were deployed "all around the front line" in Ukraine. While aerostats aren't new technology, Aerobavovna's products have been designed to meet the demands of the modern battlefield, allowing for rapid deployment times. Aerobavovna's balloons, which the firm says can be deployed in five to 25 minutes, are made with lightweight polymers and can remain airborne for up to seven days. They can lift repeater systems up to a height of 1 km (about 0.6 miles) and carry a payload of up to 25 kg (around 55 lbs), the company said. The company, which says it produces around 10 to 20 balloons per month, recently announced that it had developed a new aerostat capable of carrying more advanced equipment. In an interview with the Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi, engineers from the company said they had created a new model that can hold a payload of up to 66 lbs, enabling it to carry more powerful equipment such as electronic warfare systems. While the company has found success supplying tethered aerostats to the Ukrainian military, it continues to grapple with technical and structural hurdles as it scales. One persistent challenge is maintaining stability and precision in airborne conditions, especially critical for payloads like FPV drone radio repeaters, which require highly accurate antenna positioning. "Stability is a big problem," Vysoven said. "For FPV drone radio repeaters, you need to position the antennas really, really precisely," but wind and turbulence make that very hard. Funding also remains a major constraint. Despite strong demand and a battlefield-proven product, capital is scarce for Ukrainian hardware startups. Vysoven said the company has received investment offers in the range of $40 million, but considers that far below what's needed and called that figure "a shame." "In California, you can raise that with just a pitch deck and a latte. I have a real product, 30 engineers building it, and it's already deployed," he said. "And we still struggle to raise enough to scale," he added.
