Shift in Russian Military Tactics
Russian forces have altered their approach to deploying Lancet kamikaze drones, now operating them in full radio silence until the moment of attack. This change was disclosed by Serhiy Beskrestnov, an advisor to Ukraine’s Minister of Defense. The goal is to conceal the drone type from Ukrainian electronic intelligence systems and deny defenders any reaction time. Incidents have already been recorded across various frontlines where Lancets approach their targets without emitting any radio signals.
Serhiy Beskrestnov stated: “Across different fronts, we are observing that Lancets operate in complete radio silence until the attack. The enemy does this deliberately so that we cannot identify the drone type, recognize the threat, or respond to it.”
Ukrainian experts are now working to determine how the Russians achieved this effect. The leading theories for the Lancet’s navigation in silent mode include:
- an inertial navigation system;
- the use of ground or aerial beacons;
- optical navigation.
Testing of Ukrainian Drones
At the same time, Ukrainian defense forces have successfully tested kamikaze drones similar to the Russian Lancets. These UAVs are equipped with the ‘Ram X’ weapon system, developed by the Ukrainian company Cdet. Additionally, Cdet has released the ‘Ram 1’ and ‘Ram 2’ kamikaze drones to the market. It is known that Russian Lancet kamikaze drones are powered by model aircraft engines from the Czech company AXI Model Motors.
This new drone tactic by Russian forces highlights their adaptation to modern combat conditions and efforts to bypass Ukraine’s defense systems. Meanwhile, the development of new UAVs by Ukrainian specialists demonstrates Ukraine’s active push to enhance its own military technology—a critical element in countering emerging battlefield challenges. These developments underscore the evolving military technology on both sides of the conflict, which could shape future combat strategies.
As the Russian military adapts its tactics with drones, it's important to note the broader implications of their strategy. Recently, the unprecedented launch of over 1,500 drones in a single day indicates an escalation in their aerial operations, further complicating the battlefield dynamics for Ukrainian forces.