Ukraine's vampire drones unleash deadly nighttime precision
Their task is to effectively attack the enemy, and they excel at targeting accessible locations. Ukrainian Vampire drones effectively strike Russian positions in the Donbas. They are efficient, precise, and amazingly, they can carry out up to 27 combat missions in a single night.
According to Defense Express, the Ukrainian army is intensively using these Vampire drones, also known as Baba Yaga. The nickname was given due to their effectiveness and significant impact on Russian forces. These heavy hexacopters are particularly effective during nighttime operations when they attack Russian infantry and their fortified positions. The Russian military is continually attempting to develop its own version of these effective devices.
In the Donbas region, Vampire drones are employed to attack Russian soldiers hiding in bunkers or trenches. Although Vampire drones are capable of attacking enemy vehicles, operators note that FPV drones generally perform better in destroying Russian armour. Additionally, Vampire drones are used around the clock, and operators recount nights when missions were so intense that up to 27 combat missions were recorded.
The versatility of Vampire drones
In addition to direct attacks, Vampire drones are used for tasks such as delivering supplies to front lines that are otherwise inaccessible. Ukrainian soldiers described how a drone was used to extinguish fires caused by Russian attacks. The hexacopter was equipped with special water capsules, which were precisely dropped on the flames.
Due to their high efficiency in eliminating the enemy, Russian forces are making concerted efforts to locate the operators of the Vampire drones.
The Baba Yaga drones currently pose the greatest threat to Russian positions. This equipment can carry approximately 20 kilograms and operate at altitudes of 200 to 400 metres. The machines are particularly dangerous during nighttime attacks when they can effectively go unnoticed. The drones also utilize Starlink terminals, making them resistant to jamming and allowing them to operate within a range of 19–30 kilometres at low altitude. Besides bombing, this equipment serves as flying signal amplifiers for smaller units.
