Ukraine is fighting Russian drones not only by shooting them down. Electronic warfare (EW) operators from the 413th "Raid" Regiment report that over 19 days, they suppressed 696 Russian UAVs, including 646 FPV drones and 50 Molniya drones.
The Russian military has upgraded its Molniya drones, turning them into low-cost reconnaissance and surveillance platforms that are increasingly replacing traditional strike roles.
Earlier, drone warfare expert Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov said Russia has been reducing its use of expensive strike UAVs in favor of cheaper systems such as the Molniya drone.
According to Beskrestnov, the main challenge posed by these drones is their low radar visibility. Flying at very low altitudes and using airframe materials that reduce detectability, Molniya drones are significantly harder for counter-drone systems to intercept. To counter them effectively, Ukraine must continuously improve its electronic warfare capabilities.
As a result, Ukrainian units receive additional protection
"Thanks to the daily work of EW operators, Russia is increasingly losing the ability to effectively employ its own UAVs, while Ukrainian units receive additional protection," the Raid Regiment said, commenting on the results of its operations.
One Ukrainian electronic warfare unit suppressed 696 Russian UAVs in 19 days
"Thanks to the daily work of EW operators, Russia is increasingly losing the ability to effectively employ its own UAV," the defenders said
The independent Raid Battalion was established in 2024. In a short period of time, it expanded into a regiment and has become one of the key units carrying out frontline missions.
During the 2013–2014 Revolution of Dignity, many of its fighters took part in clashes on Kyiv's Maidan. After the start of Russia's aggression in eastern Ukraine, they participated in major operations as members of volunteer battalions and later the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Today, the regiment uses advanced drone technologies to gather precise intelligence, adjust artillery fire, identify enemy positions, and provide Ukrainian forces with a battlefield advantage.
Russia sees targets in real time when striking FPVs
The ability to neutralize FPV drones using electronic warfare is particularly important because it deprives Russian operators of the ability to carry out targeted attacks against civilians in real time.
Ukraine has documented more than 11,000 Russian FPV drone attacks on civilians, including "double-tap" strikes in which the same location is attacked again after medics and firefighters arrive to respond to the initial strike.
In May 2025, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine concluded that FPV drone attacks in Kherson Oblast constituted crimes against humanity. Ukrainian authorities continue to document similar attacks in other frontline regions, including Donetsk Oblast.
The Russian military has upgraded its Molniya drones, turning them into low-cost reconnaissance and surveillance platforms that are increasingly replacing traditional strike roles.
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