Key facts
- Ukraine's 422nd Unmanned Systems Regiment uses 'middle-strike' drones to target Russian logistics in occupied territories.
- The regiment operates Zozulia, Ram-2X, Bulava, and U.S.-built Hornet drones.
- The Hornet drone, costing approximately $5,000, is used to swarm Russian logistics routes.
- These drones are crucial for controlling the highway from Russia to Crimea, impacting supply chains.
- Russia has deployed countermeasures, including mobile fire groups and interceptor teams, to counter Ukrainian drone attacks.
The 422nd Unmanned Systems Regiment, an elite Ukrainian drone unit, is employing 'middle-strike' drones to disrupt Russian logistics in occupied southern Ukraine, particularly targeting the highway connecting Russia to Crimea.
These drones, including the Zozulia and the U.S.-built Hornet, operate in a range previously undefined, extending from about 35 kilometers to 300 kilometers behind the front lines. The Hornet, priced at around $5,000 and equipped with Starlink, has been instrumental in swarming Russian logistics routes, hitting fuel transporters, supply trucks, and other military vehicles. Commander Mykola Kolesnyk, callsign Tyson, stated that these drones provide practical fire control up to 50 kilometers behind the front line, significantly hindering enemy movement and supplies.
The Zozulia drone, capable of carrying a 50-kilogram warhead up to 300-400 kilometers, is designed for larger static targets like substations and command points. The regiment's operations are crucial for Kyiv's strategy to pressure Russian forces and potentially hasten the end of the conflict.
In response, Russian forces have adapted by changing logistics routes and deploying mobile fire groups and interceptor teams. Russian drone units, such as Rubicon, have also released videos showcasing the interception of Ukrainian drones, indicating an ongoing technological arms race.