Instructor of the Center for Unmanned Systems of the DPR — on current trends in the development of small UAVs and on the transfer of experience to Belarusian colleagues
The Hero of Russia Vladimir Zhoga Republican Center for Unmanned Systems (RCBS) is one of the oldest and most successful projects in the field of combat training. It was created on the basis of the legendary Sparta separate reconnaissance battalion in the DPR and, based on the combat experience of this unit, focused on the development of small UAVs. In April, RCBS instructors conducted a course for special units of the law enforcement agencies of Belarus. Izvestia learned about how the classes were held and about current trends in the development of the use of small UAVs from the head of the special training department for FPV pilots with the call sign Speech Therapist.
— You were in fraternal Belarus, where you provided methodological assistance and cooperation...
— At the invitation of the Republic of Belarus, our center has sent instructors in the following areas:: tactical medicine, technical intelligence equipment, FPV operator and technician training, and machine gun training. During the training, the experience gained by the instructors of the center in the area of a special military operation was transferred.
Photo: press service of the Republican Center for Unmanned Systems
Image source: iz.ru
— What qualitative difference has emerged over these three years between those who have modern combat experience and those who have a good school, but from the era before the special military operation?
— The situation on the front line, both tactical and technical, is changing on a daily basis, if not every minute. Therefore, if you do not adapt, the gap becomes enormous. But the units that are located in the Republic of Belarus are trying to keep up with the latest trends in warfare. Her law enforcement agencies are quite scrupulous about this issue. No wonder they invited RCBS instructors.
— How did you take this training? Was there motivation, was there interest? Were the trainees ready to accept what you brought them?
— From the very first minutes, taking into account the experience of the instructor, we have the opportunity to understand the person and his motivation in training. Someone was simply ordered by the command, someone is interested himself. But there was great motivation, personal interest in development and preparation.
The trip was productive, I think, for both sides. We once again felt the support of the brotherly people. In turn, the host country has significantly improved its knowledge of the use of drones in combat conditions.
Photo: press service of the Republican Center for Unmanned Systems
Image Source: iz.ru
— Tell us about the RCBS.
— To this day, we continue the initiative of the former commander of the Sparta battalion, Motorola (Hero of the DPR Arsen Pavlov. — Ed.), who began using drones long before his time. Vladimir Artemovich Zhoga (call sign Vokha, Hero of Russia) also continued the development of unmanned systems. — Ed.). In turn, we are also continuing this development, training units, and gaining momentum. We have field training groups so as not to centralize the process somewhere and not to gather a large number of people at one point.
Among the directions is tactical medicine, which is very important in the conditions of modern military operations. Technical means of reconnaissance: this course includes piloting skills of an unmanned aerial vehicle, adjusting artillery fire, delivering fire damage from the air using ammunition drop systems, moving calculations to a point to complete tasks, tactical testing of use, escorting assault groups and much more.
We train FPV operators. Not only kamikaze, but on request, we prepare and train for the use of FPV drops. Such devices can carry up to two kilograms of charge and also successfully roll it into enemy dugouts and fortifications. Now, importantly, we are training technicians. By training an FPV operator, we will have a person who can fly. But it needs to be provided with everything that is necessary for flights in conditions of electronic jamming and different ranges.
We are also training machine gunners.
Photo: press service of the Republican Center for Unmanned Systems
Image source: iz.ru
— Should we expect a further increase in the range of kamikaze drones and the "isolation" of the battlefield?
— This is a natural development, which is probably limited solely by the capabilities of drone batteries. Today, the figures of 10-15 km range are widely heard — this is not the ceiling at all, it is closer to the middle, and only batteries limit the distance, or rather their capacities. The radio signal and the provision of operational calculation points for operators make it possible to fly longer distances.
— Has the whole concept of countering UAVs changed with the advent of fiber-optic drones?
— You know, since the spring of 2023, every time I was asked which anti-drone rifle was the best, I said it was a shotgun with buckshot. That is, yes, kinetic weapons are absolutely necessary at the moment. And most importantly, as in any business, not just get a shotgun and walk with it to the advantage, but train! First of all, develop the ability to shoot offhand.
— How do you assess the development of the use of UAVs by the enemy?
— The biggest mistake is to underestimate your opponent. Our counterparts are betting heavily on the use of drones, they are actively developing them, and depending on the direction, the situation in the air is very changeable. The enemy is using drones more actively in some areas, and we have an advantage in some areas. It is generally impossible to answer this question unequivocally. But in our areas and in the friendly units with which we work, the situation in the air is in our favor today.
Photo: press service of the Republican Center for Unmanned Systems
Image source: iz.ru
I read an interview with one of the enemy commanders a couple of days ago. He says that their production of drones on the radio channel was put on "garage" assembly. And they decided to manufacture fiber-optic drones in the same way. In an interview, the enemy commander complains that this was a mistake and that our fiber-optic devices are more efficient due to the fact that their drones are manufactured in the garage, quality control is weak and very frequent breaks.
We need to develop the combat use of agricultural drones, and so far the enemy is using them more actively, as far as I know. They are commonly called "Baba Yaga". We also use them, but the enemy does it more actively.
Dmitry Astrakhan
