Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance units from the fourth detachment of the State Border Guard Service have successfully destroyed a Russian ammunition depot and a surveillance camera in the Kharkiv region. In addition to this, three separate Russian positions were struck by Ukrainian first person view (FPV) drones in a coordinated operation, according to official reports from Ukrinform.
In the Kiyanka sector, drone operators from a reconnaissance and strike unit, specialising in unmanned aerial vehicles, tracked and eliminated Russian forces’ transport hidden inside a shelter. The operation showcased Ukraine’s expanding capability to strike accurately and disrupt Russian logistics and surveillance in contested zones.
The work of these drone teams is matched by relentless efforts on the ground. Anti-tank specialists are tirelessly building and reinforcing defences, using concertina wire—known in Ukrainian as “yosa”—to trap and redirect enemy forces into carefully constructed kill zones. These steel coils are more than just barriers; they are lifesaving tools that help Ukrainian forces maintain control of critical positions.
Despite the constant threat from Russian artillery and drone strikes, Ukrainian troops continue to dig trenches, build anti-tank barriers, and camouflage their firing positions. Their unseen effort forms the backbone of Ukraine’s frontline resistance.
The National Guard of Ukraine has also bolstered its capabilities with the arrival of modern German armoured vehicles, including Leopard 1 A5 and Leopard 2 A4 tanks. These have been delivered through international support and Ukraine’s military and political leadership.
Meanwhile, the 12th Special Purpose Brigade Azov of Ukraine’s National Guard, a key force in modern drone warfare, successfully targeted 54 Russian positions. Using FPV drones, they disabled critical Russian communication systems. This is a less visually dramatic strike compared to destroying tanks, but no less vital—cutting off communications can often be more effective than destroying hardware.
The unit recently enhanced its arsenal with 500 FPV kamikaze drones supplied by the Come Back Alive Foundation. Additionally, they now deploy Ukrainian-made UAST tactical strike drones.
In the Donetsk region, the Phoenix drone unit executed a precision night strike, destroying a Russian electronic warfare system (the R330 ZTEL), communication antennas, a surveillance unit (Muram P), and an ammunition depot. This significantly impaired Russian efforts to jam Ukrainian communications.
The mission neutralised about ten Russian troops and destroyed a quad bike used for reconnaissance. The success of this strike restored vital Ukrainian command and control capabilities along critical supply routes.
This coordinated drone operation highlights the strategic importance of unmanned systems in Ukraine’s counteroffensive and defence strategies. Phoenix operators have demonstrated that no Russian asset, regardless of its location, is beyond their reach.
In a separate development, Ukraine presented the Seawolf, a modular multi-role sea surface drone, at the DEFEA 2025 exhibition in Athens, Greece. Developed by Nordex, a Ukrainian defence company, the platform is capable of various maritime missions and incorporates lessons from Ukraine’s war experience, blending reliability and adaptability.