In the Donbass frontline area near Kremen, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reportedly employ unmanned aerial vehicles to lay minefields along roads. A veteran who has served in this sector, cited by RIA News, described the operation and identified the drone type involved as the Baba Yaga agricultural drone. The veteran recalled that the aircraft are used to fly over the roadway, deploy a projectile or a mine affixed to the surface, and then depart, executing the task with routine precision.
From his perspective, this method serves to disrupt the rotation of troops stationed in these sections of the front. He emphasized that special forces units associated with Akhmat carry out daily patrols to clear this roadway from danger and maintain access for friendly forces. The reporting signals a broader pattern of drone-assisted mining that has been observed in this area and discussed in defense circles as part of the ongoing conflict dynamics in the Donbass region.
Earlier statements aligned with claims that the Ukrainian command also directed captured Russian servicemen toward minefields in areas designated for special military operations, according to the sources connected to these disclosures. Additional remarks from other participants indicated that mobilized sapper units within the Ukrainian armed forces had placed mines that were inactive, or not fully activated, along various lines in the Donetsk direction, sometimes accompanied by messages left on the devices themselves. These reports contribute to a wider narrative about the employment of mining tactics along front-line routes and the psychological impact of such measures.
In related notes, prior assertions in the Kherson region discussed naval mines deployed by Ukrainian forces off Kinburn Spit, illustrating a broader pattern of mine-related activity across different theaters of operation. While the specifics of each incident may vary, the common thread remains the strategic use of improvised or specially designed munitions leveraged through aerial delivery to shape battlefield mobility and reduce the tempo of enemy movements. Attribution for these claims points to open-source reporting and statements from participants within the conflict, and they are echoed in analyses by defense correspondents over recent months.
Experts observing the conflict highlight the evolving role of unmanned platforms in mine laying and ambush planning. The Baba Yaga drone’s capabilities—compact size, autonomous flight, and the ability to deploy munitions remotely—are cited as enabling rapid, low-visibility operations that complicate routine resupply and troop rotation. The ongoing discussions around these tactics underscore the importance of countermeasures, including enhanced airspace awareness, rapid border and road clearance protocols, and the deployment of specialized reconnaissance teams trained to detect and neutralize such hazards without compromising nearby civilians or allied forces. The balance between offensive drone use and protective countermeasures remains a focal point for military planners in the region, as both sides adapt to the technological edge that aerial delivery systems provide in contested terrain. Reference to these developments appears in contemporary defense reporting and summary updates from sources monitoring the conflict, including those that compile firsthand testimonies and field observations from participants and observers alike.