Russian Drone Doctrine Leaked Online

Death From Above

A gentleman by the name of Curtis C (who coincidentally shares my first name) working security at the House of Parliament has undertaken the effort to translate a great many pages of a Russian drone warfare manual that just leaked on Telegram.

I recommend anyone with an interest sit down and read the entire manual, which is divided into part 1, part 2, and part 3. It’s important to note that the book seems to be unofficial but widely circulated among veteran Russian drone operators and the product of deep battlefield experience gained in this rapidly evolving domain of warfare.

Today I will cover some of the choicest strategies shared in that manual to give our readership here at Geostrategy a better idea of what they’re dealing with.

I want all my readers to understand that this article in no way supports the violence you’re about to read and is not intended to present the Russian Military in a sympathetic light.

Covering this material is crucial to developing a thorough understanding of the modern battlefield.

Technique №4 “Support of the attack of the assault group with FPV drones”

This method describes the use of FPV drones to soften up a fortified position by first obtaining intelligence about that location and then using them to repeatedly strike it moments before infantry or armored forces assault.

The manual suggests combining this technique with artillery and mortars when possible.

Technique №5 “FPV drone in ambush” and №14 “FPV-saboteur”

These methods involve landing a drone in a secluded place near high value locations such as roads, intersections, and supply depots.

By using a signal repeater and working together with a recon drone, this method can be used for covert strikes at a depth of more than 5km behind enemy lines. The goal is to drop the drone then shut off all external communication so it can’t be detected by electromagnetic surveillance but can still be activated by an outside signal.

When recon assets determine targets are sufficiently concentrated nearby, the drone is activated and used to strike them.

Technique №8 “FPV trap”

The manual describes landing a drone in enemy territory so it will be misidentified as an inactive drone that can be recovered and used by the enemy. It goes on to suggest covering the outside of the drone with highly toxic chemicals and rigging it to explode if moved or disassembled.

Technique №7 “Double blow”

When faced with a protected shelter such as a home or office building, the operator first sends one small drone with an explosive to blow an opening into the structure and then follows up with a second larger drone to bring an explosive inside, destroying the infantry taking shelter within.

Technique №9 “FPV-Miner”

This technique uses FPV drones to deploy mines deep inside enemy territory. It can be used on important approach or evacuation routes as well as near critical objectives without risking the lives of allied forces.

Technique №10 “FPV-Sapper”

The exact opposite of the previous technique, this one uses FPV drones to drop explosives on known minefields to detonate them and render them safe to cross over.

Technique №15 “FPV on the uterus”

This very awkwardly named technique involves using a drone mother ship with long range to carry several smaller, shorter ranged FPV drones armed with explosives. It’s a cost effective way to extend the range of the cheapest drones. No need to put a long range battery in something you’re going to blow up anyways.

Techniques №18 “FPV-matyugalnik” and №19 “Flipping”

The use of FPV drones for PSYOPs, either by broadcasting audio through a loudspeaker or dropping leaflets on the enemy encouraging them to surrender. Other messages can be tailored to induce rebellion and desertion, or just to degrade the enemy morale generally, such as by bragging about the strength (real or otherwise) of the force they’re going up against.

Final thoughts

The Ukrainians are defending their homeland against an illegal invasion by the Russian military at the behest of a tyrant, Vladimir Putin, who has been caught repeatedly lying in public about the war and whose forces have intentionally targeted civilians. It is, however, an important read for anyone hoping to understand the use of drones on the battlefield today.

I hope that by publishing excerpts from this I will contribute to a better understanding of the incredible sacrifice and struggle Ukrainian soldiers experience every day in the defense of their lives and homes.

Those who want to help Ukraine non-violently can donate to Bird of Light, a project that delivers humanitarian and medical assistance to Ukrainian civilians. Bird of light has been thoroughly vetted by the Ukrainian community and is a registered 501c3 charity organization so donations are tax-deductible in the United States.

This article didn’t cover the third part of the manual, which mostly looks at drone countermeasures. I recommend reading it.

If you want to support this reporting, you can browse our online shop.