Russian Troops Deploy New FPV Drone Swarms at Frontline

February 2025 – In a significant evolution of battlefield strategy, Russian infantry forces have introduced a relentless FPV (First Person View) drone assault tactic designed to bypass Ukrainian defenses with speed and precision.

Unlike conventional drone warfare, where unmanned aircraft are launched from distant positions, this new approach involves carrying FPV drone swarms directly to the front line, enabling immediate and overwhelming attacks. With drone operators safely positioned in the rear, the tactic facilitates continuous, high-intensity strikes, keeping Ukrainian forces under near-constant pressure.

One of the most notable aspects of this tactic is its high-intensity, successive strike method. Rather than relying on sporadic drone attacks, Russian forces are deploying multiple FPV drones in rapid succession, preventing Ukrainian troops from regrouping or effectively targeting advancing infantry.

Reports indicate that a single assault unit may carry at least 20 FPV drones per attack, simulating the destructive power of traditional artillery barrages while compensating for ammunition shortages.

This development comes as both Russia and Ukraine increasingly rely on drone warfare, integrating unmanned systems into nearly every aspect of modern combat. By launching waves of FPV drones in rapid succession, Russian forces are not only replicating the destructive power of artillery barrages but also compensating for ammunition shortages.

This FPV drone-centric strategy is also seen as part of a broader Russian effort to wear down Ukrainian defenses through relentless, small-unit engagements. By bringing drone operations closer to the battlefield, Russian troops are overcoming the typical limitations of FPV drones, such as short battery life and restricted range. This allowed them to sustain pressure on Ukrainian forces with unprecedented intensity.

Moreover, the tactic complements Russia’s method of infiltrating small infantry units forward, using successive waves to expose and destroy Ukrainian positions. This has placed Ukrainian defenders in a difficult position, as static defense lines are becoming increasingly vulnerable to drone saturation tactics.

Additionally, Russia’s use of FPV drones in combination with UMPK glide bombs has created new challenges for Ukrainian forces, forcing them to constantly adapt to maintain strong defensive perimeters.

How effective is FPV in actual combat?!

Reports from December 2024 estimated the effectiveness rate of FPV drone strikes at 20% to 40%, meaning that in many cases, drones successfully reached their targets, delivered strikes, and had a measurable battlefield impact. While these percentages may seem modest, the sheer volume of deployed drones compensates for the low hit rate.

Tactical drone warfare, including FPV drones, was responsible for two-thirds of Russian combat losses as of February 2025, making them twice as effective as all other Ukrainian weapons combined. Even when they do not directly destroy a target, FPV drones force enemy troops into defensive positions, limiting their ability to maneuver and respond effectively.

Crucially, these drones have demonstrated effectiveness against a wide range of targets, including personnel, armored vehicles, and even modern tanks. Their ability to strike fast-moving vehicles and exploit vulnerabilities in Ukrainian defenses makes them a formidable tool in Russia’s evolving military strategy.

Watch: How FPV drone unleashed destruction on those tanks

Scaling Up Drone Warfare

Both Ukraine and Russia have significantly increased their production of FPV drones, recognizing their critical role in modern combat. Ukraine initially set a goal of producing one million FPV drones in 2024, which was nearly double the number of artillery shells fired by Ukrainian forces in 2023. By March 2025, Ukrainian officials claimed to have achieved this milestone.

Russia, however, has ramped up its own FPV drone production to 4,000 units per day as of late 2024, potentially surpassing Ukraine in overall drone output. This mass production ensures that FPV drones remain a staple of battlefield engagements, with both sides continuously refining their tactics to maximize drone efficiency.

Despite their relatively low hit rate, FPV drones remain an incredibly cost-effective weapon. For example, a single Shahed drone—a type of one-way attack drone—costs approximately $35,000, whereas many FPV drones are produced for less than $500 per unit. This affordability has allowed both Russian and Ukrainian forces to deploy them in massive numbers, making them an attractive alternative to more expensive guided munitions.

However, FPV drones are not without their limitations. Even with skilled operators, the actual hit rate is estimated to be below 50%, as various factors such as electronic interference, premature detonation, and small arms fire can reduce their effectiveness.

Furthermore, FPV drones are most effective when used in conjunction with other military assets. Even the most proficient drone operators acknowledge that without infantry and artillery support, drones alone cannot hold the front line.

Additionally, efforts to develop countermeasures against FPV drones are ongoing. While these drones have proven resilient against electronic jamming, both Ukrainian and Russian forces are actively exploring new technologies and strategies to mitigate their effectiveness. The future of drone warfare will likely be shaped by an evolving game of offensive and defensive advancements.

In the end, the adoption of FPV drone saturation tactics by Russian infantry forces represents a critical shift in the ongoing war, highlighting the growing role of unmanned systems in modern combat. While FPV drones have limitations, their cost-effectiveness, adaptability, and ability to disrupt enemy positions make them a defining factor in the conflict.

In this evolving fight, technological innovation will likely be just as decisive as firepower, and the new Russian FPV drone tactic may prove to be one of the most impactful developments in the war to date.