A Ukrainian made first person view drone has been used to fire a grenade launcher in combat for the first time, successfully eliminating a Russian infantryman. The footage, released by the Bulava unmanned systems unit of the 3rd Mechanised Battalion of the Bohdan Khmelnytsky Separate Presidential Brigade, shows a successful strike carried out using a modified “Queen of Hornets” drone.
The drone, developed by Ukrainian firm Wild Hornets, was designed as a heavy bomber capable of carrying payloads up to 9.5 kilograms over short distances or lighter loads over up to 17 kilometres. In this operation, the drone was fitted with a Bulgarian-made Bulspike-AP grenade launcher, which uses the OG-22M high explosive rocket propelled munition. This rocket weighs 2 kilograms and explodes into over a thousand sharp fragments, effective against personnel, fortifications and lightly armoured targets.
The idea of combining disposable hand held grenade launchers with FPV drones had been discussed within the unit for over a year. While earlier tests in September 2024 showed promise, the recent mission marked the first time this tactic was used in real combat. Operators had struggled with earlier drone models, such as converted agricultural drones, but found success with the large 15 inch Queen of Hornets platform, which allowed more precise strikes and fast reloads.
According to a soldier with the call sign Udav, reloading the drone takes under two minutes, making it an efficient support tool for urban combat. He explained how the drone’s capability to fire from above or through windows enables Ukrainian fighters to support ground troops by targeting Russian invaders in fortified positions or vehicles, especially when fighting inside buildings.
The Bulava fighters demonstrated how drones armed with grenade launchers can give frontline units the edge by offering cover or finishing off damaged Russian military vehicles. The long term vision, as expressed by the unit, is to equip FPV drones not only with grenade launchers but also small arms, giving them a decisive presence on the battlefield and further complicating Russia’s occupation efforts.
Though Wild Hornets has already equipped drones to carry rifles such as the Kalashnikov in earlier tests, the use of drones in direct combat with grenade launchers marks a turning point. This form of low cost yet highly effective drone warfare is expected to become more widespread as Ukrainian forces continue to innovate under pressure from the ongoing Russian invasion.
External Video: Documented First: Enemy Infantryman Eliminated by Grenade-Armed FPV Drone.
