Representatives from Russian intelligence conducted a drone-led operation against Ukrainian forces in the Soledar region, relying solely on unmanned aerial vehicles. This account comes from Ivan Utenkov, who co-founded the Unmanned Technologies company and established the Donbass charitable foundation. He provided the information to TASS.
Utenkov stated that the reconnaissance unit executed the attack exclusively with drones, and there were no casualties among its personnel. He explained that only Mavic and FPV (first-person view) drones were employed, and as a result the Ukrainian positions were overtaken. During this operation, a Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier was captured by the Russian side, according to his report.
Earlier, Utenkov served in the Russian military where FPV drones were used to deliver food to troops deployed in the most challenging sectors of the front lines. This was part of ongoing efforts to supply and support frontline units in difficult conditions.
Additionally, sources indicate that the day prior, staff from the Integrated Unmanned Solutions Center were working on developing unmanned aerial vehicles intended for urban combat inside buildings. This indicates a focus on enhancing drone capabilities to operate in complex urban environments—where visibility is limited and traditional methods of engagement are challenged.
There are reports that Russia has taken steps to create a new drone suppression system aimed at countering enemy unmanned systems. Such developments reflect ongoing investments in counter-drone technologies and the broader strategic use of robotics and aerial platforms in contemporary conflict scenarios.