Ukrainian Soldiers Escape Captivity as FPV Drone Swarm Overwhelms Russian Unit

Near Pokrovsk, Ukrainian drones thwarted an attempt by Russian forces to take Ukrainian soldiers captive, the 7th Air Assault Corps reported on January 2.

During an assault on an observation post, a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group captured four Ukrainian servicemen. Shortly afterward, aerial reconnaissance patrolling the area detected the enemy group escorting the captives.

Strike drones from the 25th Separate Airborne Sicheslav Brigade of the 7th Rapid Response Air Assault Corps, the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush, and other adjacent units were immediately deployed to the scene.

The approach of a swarm of FPV drones disoriented the Russian troops and diverted their attention. Taking advantage of the moment, the Ukrainian soldiers managed to break free from captivity.

Russian troops then attempted to hide in bushes and trenches, but within minutes more than ten Ukrainian strike drones engaged the group.

As a result, Russian military personnel were eliminated.

In a separate incident on the same sector of the front, Ukrainian troops also stopped a rare mounted attack by Russian forces near Oleskiivka, along the Alexanderivka–Novopavlivka axis.

According to “Iron Falcons,” UAV battalion of the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine’s Ground Forces. According to the unit, drone operators identified and neutralized a Russian assault group advancing on horseback, using UAV strikes to break up and halt the attack.

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“Russian cavalry assaults are not a legend, but a real phenomenon, no matter how absurd it may sound,” the battalion said.

The unit noted that Russian forces continue to probe Ukrainian positions with small assault groups, resorting not only to armored vehicles and infantry but also to horses in an effort to bypass defenses and avoid detection.

Earlier, Ukrainian troops detected and killed multiple Russian servicemen wearing a new experimental winter camouflage suit known as “Penguin,” according to statements from Ukrainian military units and combat footage published this week.

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