Jaw-dropping moment Ukraine drones take out two Russian soldiers riding on a JET SKI
This is the breathtaking moment Ukrainian forces used drones to take out two Russian soldiers on a jet ski.
Incredible footage shows two of Vladimir Putin’s men being hunted down and eliminated in a precision strike by a first-person view (FPV) drone on the Dnipro River.
It shows the invading soldiers speeding across the water as a 10-inch Shuriken 10 FPV drone chases them, but this is most likely not heard by the soldiers over the sound of the jet ski engine.
When the drone collides with the back of the jet ski, it explodes in a fireball.
Another camera angle shows the flash of light on the river as the men and the jet ski suddenly stop moving and sink.
Incredible footage shows two of Vladimir Putin’s men hunted down and eliminated in a precision strike by a first-person view (FPV) drone on the Dnipro River
The video shows the invading soldiers speeding across the water as a 10-inch Shuriken 10 FPV drone chases them, but this is most likely not heard by the soldiers due to the sound of the jet ski engine.
When the drone collides with the back of the jet ski, it explodes in a fireball
One of the soldiers reportedly died in the explosion, while the other swam away.
But a second drone was sent after him, found him and exploded above him as he was swimming, sending sparks flying into the air like fireworks.
The use of jet skis, similar to motorcycles, is designed to increase speed and maneuverability while traveling on the river, to minimize the time spent in the open air.
The Dnipro River and its canals are extremely dangerous to travel along due to the constant monitoring by reconnaissance drones, as well as the presence of attack drones and river mines.
The Russians are also trying to minimize river operations as much as possible by shifting some logistics to large agricultural drones that deliver food and ammunition, some of which can carry up to 40 kilograms over a distance of ten miles.
The astonishing skill of Ukraine’s drone pilots is the latest example of the country using the technology to defend itself since Putin first invaded in February 2022.
Armed Forces soldiers inspect the FPV drones during the handover by the volunteer organization on September 13, 2024 in Lviv, Ukraine
A Ukrainian soldier prepares a first person view (FPV) drone to attack Russian troops on a position near a front line on September 25, 2024
A soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine holds an FPV drone during a transfer of a volunteer organization on September 13, 2024
Since early 2023, the cheap and explosive flying machines have become one of Kiev’s biggest success stories in the war, which has degenerated into a battle for attrition and resources.
Unmanned weapons systems have already proven extremely effective in attacking key Russian targets.
Marine drones have sunk several warships in Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, and in recent months Kiev has successfully deployed long-range drones to attack infrastructure hundreds of miles behind the Russian border.
As the war rages on and ammunition, equipment and manpower dwindle, both sides begin to use the FPVs to keep each other at bay while they rearm.
Typically, the drones – which cost around Β£300 each – will be used to attack high-value assets such as tanks and artillery systems, each worth millions of pounds.
But they are increasingly being used to pursue individual soldiers at the front.
A Ukrainian military pilot of an FPV drone while attaching an explosive to an FPV drone on the front line near Bakhmut on October 24, 2023 in Bakhmut, Ukraine
A Ukrainian Marine undergoes FPV drone flight training on May 15, 2023
Ukraine is leading the way in adopting the technology β with troops waging psychological warfare online and sharing graphic clips of a suicide drone’s final moments as they chase motorcycles and quad bikes; diving into a group of stretcher bearers; attacking soldiers smoking in trenches or hunting isolated troops as they run for their lives.
Although Kiev was the first to take the initiative to deploy low-cost drones, military analysts say Russia now has the upper hand as it has reportedly stocked up on large numbers of flying bots and equipped them with advanced equipment.
The effectiveness of the attack robots has left the industry looking for ideas on how to counter them. Everything from electronic jammers and disruptive rifles to net-firing rifles have been tried by various armies.