Combat footage captures strange Ukrainian tactics on the frontlines

An interesting question was answered

Reconnaissance drones are one of the most valuable assets that the Ukrainian Armed Forces can field to defend their country against the ongoing Russian invasion. But what happens to these systems when they’re shot down or damaged in the field?

Reconnaissance drones are essential

Whether they’re spotting enemy preparations for an attack or confirming the location of a Russian target, reconnaissance drones have been the workforce of many operations. Yet there is a lot we don’t know about these powerful weapons. 

What happens when a drone is lost?

What happens to reconnaissance drones when they're lost during an operation is a critical question and one that appears to have been answered by the ​​3rd Mechanized Brigade if a recent piece of combat footage is standard for all Ukrainian units.

Video of a drone on drone recovery

On May 27th, the 63rd Mechanized Brigade’s press service published a video on social media showing the successful battlefield recovery of two reconnaissance drones from the front using a specially modified multi-copter drone, Militarnyi reported. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @63ombr

Callsigns Leleka and Mara

Given the callsigns Leleka and Mara, the drones were unknown models of fixed-wing reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and were expertly recovered from the battlefield and transported to a secure location behind Ukrainian lines. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @63ombr

“The drone war is reaching a new level”

“Unique footage of our reconnaissance drones being evacuated from the battlefield by drones. The drone war is reaching a new level—Private Nemesis is rescuing Privates Leleka and Mara,” the 63rd Mechanized Brigade wrote in a caption alongside the video it posted on its Facebook page according to a translation from Militarnyi. 

Nemesis drones are used as bombers

Nemesis drones are typically used as bomber drones. However, it appears as if some models have been adapted to carry retractable grapples that can grab onto objects and carry them away, which the 63rd Mechanized Brigade’s video clearly shows. 

What the combat footage revealed

In the video, which occurs at night, a mechanical arm can be seen hovering over one of the two drones the 63rd Mechanized Brigade recovered. The arm grabbed onto the rear elevators of the drone ‘Leleka’, effortlessly picking the drone up and flying off with it. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @63ombr

A second effortless drone recovery

Drone operators recovered the ‘Mara’ drone by grabbing onto the center of the drone where its wings and fuselage meet. Mara proved to be just as easy to pick up as Leleka. The 63rd Mechanized Brigade noted it was a dangerous operation but one that was “brilliantly executed” by the brigade’s drone pilots. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @63ombr