Ukrainian Paratroopers Destroy $7.5 Million Russian Surveillance Drone Over Sumy, Video

The 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces has recently downed a Russian reconnaissance drone worth $7.5 million over the Sumy region, the brigade posted on their official Telegram page on January 20.

The drone, a “Forpost” model, was spotted conducting surveillance of Ukrainian positions. The paratroopers swiftly destroyed the drone, marking the second such success for the brigade.

The first downing of the same drone model was also successful in the Sumy region during the summer of 2025, the brigade wrote.

The soldiers' resilience is highlighted by their training in freezing, snowy conditions, ensuring they remain combat-ready in all environments.

This strike comes amidst mounting Russian battlefield losses, with a total of 1.2 million troops killed and wounded.

In 2025, Ukraine's defense forces inflicted losses of more than $15 billion on Russia by striking targets that supply the Russian army, according to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Previously, it was reported that Ukrainian forces used drone interceptors to shoot down 64 Shahed-type attack drones, marking one of the highest confirmed single-day figures for this defensive tactic since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

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