FPV drones: Russian manual attributes up to 70 per cent of losses to Ukrainian drones

A new manual issued by the Russian armed forces on FPV drones contains dramatic figures – FPV stands for first-person view, i.e. the view from the pilot’s own perspective. Its title: “Tactics of the enemy’s use of FPV drones and options for countering them”.

The document was prompted by the fact that these drones have gained considerably in importance as an effective weapon in recent months of the war. According to the estimates it cites, up to 70 per cent of Russian losses in personnel and equipment on all fronts are caused by Ukrainian kamikaze drones.

Strengths and weaknesses of the weapon

According to the manual, the drones’ advantages are simple control, rapid response, high manoeuvrability and a speed of up to 120 km/h. They are robust against electronic warfare because configurations and settings can be changed quickly. The advantages are rounded off by their flexible design and relatively low cost.

The paper lists the following disadvantages: limited flight time, a rather short range without repeaters and a lack of qualified personnel – anyone who wants to use the drones effectively needs high-quality training.

How FPV drones can be countered

The paper devotes considerable space to the options for defending against the drones. The following graphics are taken from the document and give a brief overview of the various modes of employment:

According to the document, active and passive measures are to be implemented both by the unit as a whole and by each individual soldier. These include: locating and eliminating drone pilots, detecting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) early and warning units, using electronic countermeasures, moving quickly in exposed zones, evading, firing in a targeted manner and defending mechanically, for example with nets. Reinforced positions, camouflage, decoy positions, protective netting and smoke generators are also indispensable.

The paper concludes that technical development has considerably broadened the range of possible combat missions with FPV drones. In combat units, demand for trained pilots and for drones exceeds supply. New types of units are expected – for employment as well as for defence. The race between drones and counter-drones, the paper concludes, has only just begun.