Russian military aviation faces growing threat from Ukraine’s armed FPV drone swarms

Ilya Tumanov, a well-known figure in the Russian military aviation community and the administrator of the Fighter bomber channel, highlighted the increasing impact of Ukrainian FPV (First-Person View) drones on Russian aviation operations.

Tumanov’s remarks underscore a growing concern within the Russian military circles about the effectiveness of these drones in countering their aircraft.

“It is now safe to say that drones are becoming a real problem for helicopters,” Tumanov stated. He went on to note, “In recent times, the number of aircraft hit by drones has surpassed those hit by anti-aircraft missiles.”

Tumanov’s comments reflect a broader acknowledgement within the Russian military analyst community of the escalating threat posed by Ukrainian drone strikes. Over the past months, there have been several reported incidents of drones targeting Russian helicopters. While these attacks were less effective earlier in the year, recent strikes have successfully downed or significantly damaged several aircraft.

Russian military sources have expressed concern over the increasing frequency and success of these drone attacks, which have forced some helicopters to make emergency landings in open fields after sustaining damage.

The rise in drone-related incidents is particularly noteworthy as it suggests a shift by Ukrainian forces to leverage FPV drones as a means to counter Russian air superiority. These drones, often small and difficult to detect, are cost-effective for targeting enemy aircraft and disrupting military operations.

Tumanov and other Russian military analysts have frequently voiced their concerns about the growing capabilities of Ukrainian forces, particularly in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). FPV drones, in particular, have been a point of contention, as these devices have proven capable of inflicting damage that, until recently, was primarily associated with more traditional anti-aircraft systems.

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