Russian Troops Test “Penguin” Snow Camouflage and Get Picked Off by Ukrainian Drones

Ukrainian forces have identified and eliminated several Russian soldiers wearing an experimental snow camouflage outfit dubbed “Penguin,” according to Ukrainian military units and battlefield footage released this week. The unusual gear was spotted during recent fighting in snow-covered terrain, Defence Blog reported on January 29.

The 120th Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said its troops neutralized at least two Russian soldiers equipped with the new camouflage suits over the past several days.

The encounters occurred in open winter landscapes, where Russian units appear to have been testing the equipment under real combat conditions.

According to Ukrainian soldiers, the suits were intended to reduce visual detection in snowy environments.

In practice, however, they appeared to have the opposite effect. Footage shared by Ukrainian units shows a Russian soldier wearing a bulky, white, penguin-like outfit moving across a snow-covered field before being detected and struck by a Ukrainian drone-guided system.

Ukrainian personnel involved in the engagements said the suits failed to provide effective concealment, particularly in open steppe terrain. Instead of blending in, the distinctive shape and movement of the outfit drew attention, making the wearer easier to spot at a distance.

Ukrainian troops noted that Russian forces have repeatedly introduced new equipment directly on the battlefield, often without prolonged testing or refinement.

In many cases, soldiers themselves appear to serve as live test subjects for experimental systems. The appearance of the “Penguin” camouflage fits that broader pattern, Ukrainian fighters said.

The winter camouflage system appears to feature a loose outer shell designed to disrupt the human silhouette against snow. Ukrainian assessments suggest that while the concept may work in theory, the design restricted mobility and made movement across flat, exposed terrain more conspicuous rather than less.

Earlier, photos and videos circulating online appeared to show groups of Russian soldiers using unusual individual shelters resembling vertical “capsules.”

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