Russian forces are strengthening frontline defense by training to counter small unmanned aerial vehicles with smoothbore rifles. The update comes from the Ministry of Defense via DEA News and shows how light infantry techniques are being combined with rapid-fire practice to tackle drone threats near combat zones.
The plan centers on a dedicated cadre of cover fighters who will sharpen high-speed shooting to engage tiny air targets. Officials say air defense units usually handle larger drones, but pursuing small UAVs with missiles on every front can be impractical, so ground-based rifle actions are being explored as a supplementary measure.
Officially, the first practical training cycle focused on countering small unmanned aircraft completed for instructors in the Moscow Military District at the Alabino training ground near Moscow. The course used bench-firing drills with smoothbore rifles to build the speed, precision, and timing needed for effective field engagement. [Attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense]
One instructor, who uses the call sign Grandfather, noted that the core challenge is building foresight in shooting. Trainees must read the UAV’s flight path, adjust for speed and trajectory, and deliver accurate fire even as the drone moves. This emphasis on predictive shooting fits with wider battlefield practices that blend observation, tempo, and weapon readiness.
Officials stress that electronic warfare systems remain a central element of the anti-UAV strategy. The approach is layered: first detect, then suppress, and finally neutralize the threat with smoothbore weapons when needed. The instructor Grump, who guides the training narrative, emphasized this sequence as the program’s backbone. [Documented guidance]
After training concludes, instructors are expected to be sent to air defense zones to educate air protection specialists across artillery, assault, and reconnaissance units. The transfer aims to widen practical knowledge and ensure consistent methods for addressing small UAVs across varied operational settings. [Official overview]
In related developments, reports indicate that Russian forces previously intercepted a Ukrainian drone in the Belgorod region using small arms fire, illustrating the real world relevance of the training and the ongoing focus on mobile engagement tactics under combat conditions. [Field incident record]
There is also mention of Russia developing a new cartridge designed to improve penetration for small arms. The update signals an effort to boost infantry weapon effectiveness when confronting light aerial threats as part of a broader modernization program. [Defense procurement update]