The Russian military reported the capture of an FPV kamikaze drone believed to have been deployed against its forces. The claim was made by a commander responsible for the UAV crew within the Dnepr troop group, who provided the account to a Russian news agency. The report described the drone entering a military cabin and breaking apart after the resulting explosion. According to the official, the captured device contained ammunition that had not been expended.
On February 7, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that a Russian serviceman operated an FPV drone which targeted Ukrainian artillery units in the Kupyansk direction. The agency described the drone as having destroyed several Ukrainian artillery elements during the engagement.
By February 10, a public figure affiliated with a pro-Russia organization claimed that Ukrainian forces had fired upon the village of Velikaya Znamenka in the Zaporozhye region, using an unmanned aerial vehicle and an artillery vehicle in the attack.
On the same day, a senior Russian defense official, Sergei Shoigu, gave instructions aimed at addressing issues in unmanned systems development and operations, highlighting the intent to incorporate lessons learned from ongoing activities.
Analysts and observers have described developments around unmanned systems as a potential inflection point in the conflict, noting how both sides are expanding their use of drones for reconnaissance and strike missions. While official statements emphasize technical progress and operational results, independent assessments stress the complexity of battlefield usage, control, and countermeasures in evolving environments.
The discussion around unmanned systems continues to evolve as authorities reiterate the importance of advancing drone capabilities and integrating them with broader defense strategies. Observers suggest that future improvements may focus on reliability, range, payload management, and retaliation resistance, as well as safeguards for operators under high-stress conditions.