The Russian military has been successfully using ramming tactics to deal with large Ukrainian attack drones, the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow has said.
On Saturday, it published a clip showing two drones of the ‘Baba Yaga’ class, operated by Kiev’s forces, being eliminated by smaller Russian unmanned aerial vehicles.
"FPV-drone crews are on duty around the clock in the skies above Kharkov Region, working to identify enemy attack UAVs,” the ministry said.
The Russian forces are implementing a “seek and destroy” strategy against the Ukrainian drones, it added.
Named after a witch-like character from Slavic folklore, the 'Baba Yaga' hexacopters are former agricultural UAVs converted into attack drones by Ukraine. The devices are known for their large size – some reportedly have a wingspan of up to 3 meters – and ability to carry payloads of up to 50kg.
’Baba Yaga’ UAVs are relatively slow, while their rotors emit a loud noise as they travel. However, they remain a difficult target as their autonomous flight capability makes them highly resistant to electronic warfare.