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Russia Forms Units of “Agricultural Drones” to Mirror Ukrainian Tactics

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Ivan_khomenko
Ivan Khomenko
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Russia Forms Units of “Agricultural Drones” to Mirror Ukrainian Tactics
The MiS-35 combat drone, reportedly in serial production in Russia, is part of the new “agricultural drone” units. (Source: Wikipedia)

Russia’s Ministry of Defense has announced the formation of new drone units within its UAV battalions, referred to as “agricultural drone detachments.”

According to Defense Express report on April 5, these units will operate heavy multirotor drones originally designed for civilian agricultural use, but repurposed for combat roles.

Despite the terminology, the so-called “agricultural drones” are essentially heavy-lift multirotor platforms, such as hexacopters and octocopters, capable of carrying large payloads. Russian media report that these drones are modeled after similar systems used by Ukrainian Defense Forces, which have deployed heavy multirotor drones—known informally as “Baba Yaga”—for frontline operations.

Ukrainian drones such as the Vampire and R18 have been widely reported to carry out strikes on enemy equipment and fortifications, as well as serve as airborne relays or launch platforms for FPV drones.

One of the platforms reportedly being introduced by Russian forces is the “Buran” hexacopter, said to have a payload capacity of up to 80 kilograms. Another platform mentioned is the MiS-35 drone, which entered serial production in Russia in 2024.

Both drones were initially developed for civilian applications, particularly in agriculture, but are now being adapted for military use, including the delivery of explosive payloads.

Russian sources claim that grouping these drones into specialized detachments is intended to improve operational efficiency on the battlefield.

Reports also indicate that Russian forces are experimenting with the use of “mothership” drones—larger UAVs that carry and deploy smaller FPV drones mid-flight. This approach reportedly extends the effective strike range of FPV drones up to 40 kilometers.

While the creation of these new drone units signals an effort to institutionalize UAV tactics, the development largely reflects an attempt to replicate practices already established by Ukraine’s armed forces rather than a significant technological advancement.

Earlier, the Vampire drone, originally developed as an agricultural UAV, was repurposed by Ukraine’s 25th Airborne Brigade into a heavy combat platform capable of carrying up to 20 kg of explosives. Actively used since late 2023, it now conducts strikes, lays mines, and delivers supplies on the front line.

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