New Ukrainian VR Simulator Recreates Russian FPV Drone Threats

Ukrainian defense technology firm SKIFTECH has unveiled a virtual reality trainer designed to prepare soldiers to shoot down FPV drones, built on lessons drawn from frontline combat experience, according to Militarnyi on May 18.

The platform, named "Reflex — Minus Drone," provides basic training for troops countering one of the most pressing modern battlefield threats: Russian FPV strike drones now widely used against Ukrainian positions.

The trainer simulates realistic drone behavior, including flight speed, maneuvering trajectory, and motion inertia, as well as ballistic modeling of shotgun fire and pellet dispersion. Developers stated the platform was built using actual combat data and consultations with military instructors who counter FPV drones in the field.

One of the system's defining features is a spatial audio component that allows trainees to identify a drone's direction of approach before visually detecting it, a capability described as critical during real attacks.

The simulator offers multiple FPV drone types, seven maneuvering scenarios, and progressive difficulty levels ranging from training sessions with on-screen prompts and tracer rounds to scenarios stripped of any auxiliary elements. It supports both individual practice and group sessions for up to four participants.

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For weapons handling, the VR setup uses mockups of a Remington shotgun and a Kalashnikov rifle. Instructors are provided with a detailed statistics dashboard, training recordings, and error-analysis tools to track progress and adjust preparation accordingly.

Developers emphasized the platform's mobility, noting that the system requires no live drones, training ranges, or significant resources, and can operate in small indoor spaces.

The company's catalog has continued to broaden beyond defensive applications. A separate SKIFTECH simulator is built to replicate ammunition drops from unmanned aerial vehicles, reflecting Ukraine's growing emphasis on practical battlefield preparation for drone operators on the offensive side of the fight.

The platform allows trainees to work through targeting, release timing, and mission coordination under realistic combat conditions without using live munitions. SKIFTECH presented the tool as a way to shorten preparation cycles while reducing the risks and costs tied to field training.

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