Ukraine’s special operators have shifted their focus from artillery to surviving small exploding drones, which have become the main battlefield killer in the country. The war has changed dramatically, with a new threat emerging that requires different tactics and training.
In 2022, artillery fire was the primary enemy, but now drones, including quadcopter FPV drones, are the dominant threat. These cheap precision-strike aircraft cause around 70% of casualties on both sides.
The Russian military exhausted its artillery ammunition and turned to drones as a substitute, while Ukraine also faced shortages, leading to their adoption. To counter this new threat, special operators are learning better concealment tactics and how to shoot down drones with their service weapons.
American instructor Scooter from the 4th Ranger Regiment trains soldiers to hide in plain sight, using camouflage techniques and staying hidden behind terrain features. They are taught to blend in with their surroundings and find heat sources to track the drone’s movement.
“When you’re hiding from an enemy helicopter, that’s how you’re going to hide from a drone,” Scooter said. The special operators also learn to fight FPV drones with shotguns as a last resort, but small arms fire is often ineffective against these targets.
The emphasis on drone countermeasures has changed the mentality of Ukraine’s special operators from relying solely on terrain and structures to constantly being targeted by human-piloted loitering munitions. The training focuses on speed and stealth, with soldiers moving carefully and blending in with their surroundings.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraines-special-operators-focused-russian-artillery-now-drones-2025-7