Ukrainian Kamikaze Drones Target Russian Outpost and Vehicles
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has escalated to a new level of intensity, as both sides have deployed drones to strike each other’s targets. However, Ukraine has gained an edge over Russia by using kamikaze drones, which are designed to crash into enemy positions and explode on impact.
Kamikaze drones are small, fast and cheap unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can carry explosives and loiter over a target until they receive a command to attack. They are also hard to detect and intercept by conventional air defenses, making them ideal for asymmetric warfare.
Ukraine has been using kamikaze drones of various types and origins, including US-made Switchblade and improvised racing drones. These drones have reportedly caused significant damage to Russian military assets, such as tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems and air defense systems.
One of the most recent and dramatic examples of Ukraine’s use of kamikaze drones was captured on video by the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The footage, which was released on December 5, 2023, shows multiple explosions erupting as drones strike a Russian outpost and several vehicles. According to the Ukrainian military, the drones used in this attack were racing drones fitted with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).
