Both side in Ukraine make extensive use of ambush drones. Blurring the boundaries between landmines, munitions and aircraft, these are FPVs land and wait for a target. The Russians call them Zhduns (“Waiters”) after a cartoon character. Ambush, counter-ambush and even counter-counter-ambush tactics are evolving fast.
U.S. forces are still in their early days of using FPVs and finding out how to counter them. They could learn a lot from Ukraine.
As the Commander of the Typhoon drone unit of the National Guard of Ukraine, callsign “Michael,” explained, a successful drone ambush is not as easy as it looks on the online videos. Success only comes with careful planning.
“Target selection comes first,” says Michael. “We identify exactly what we are hunting.”
Setting Up The Ambush
Michael says that the target, selected in advance, may be a logistics route, a foot patrol, or an armored column on the move.
“We gather data from SIGINT [SIGnals INTelligence – basically analyzing and locating radio traffic] and reconnaissance drones to build a database of routes, timing, and equipment,” says Michael. “This intelligence dictates exactly where and when the drone should land to wait.”
Ambushes are carried out with drones controlled by fiber optic cables. These can land without losing their connection, as radio-controlled drones may when dipping below line of sight. The communications require much less power than a radio link so the drone can wait longer. And because it does not emit radio signals, the fiber drone cannot be detected.
Some drones now have 50 km fiber reels and can wait 20-40 km behind enemy lines. However, the best place for an ambush may not have a good surface to land.
“One of the hardest part is the landing,” says Michael. “Execution requires finding a landing zone that offers concealment but protects the delicate fiber-optic cable from snagging or snapping. We analyze historical data: if we have lost drones in a specific sector, we shift our ambush positions. Pilots often require modified landing gear and significant patience to pull this off.”
Convenient flat roofs are rare and ambush drones are fitted with long landing legs to keep them clear of grass and other obstacles. But even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by the weather.
“Rain and snow create drag on the fiber line,” says Michael. “Furthermore, in sub-zero temperatures, the fiber spool itself can freeze internally—causing the layers of wire to bind together even without external moisture.”
Once in place, the waiting starts. One video shows a drone in position all night before a successful ambush the next morning.
Ambush And Counter-Ambush
If the drone is positioned properly and all goes well, it can carry out a close-range strike. Unlike FPV attacks, ambush drones achieve surprise.
“Targets have mere seconds to react once the drone launches, compared to the warning time provided by the audible approach of flying FPV drones,” says Michael.
The downside is that ambush drones typically carry smaller warheads than other FPVs, due to the added weight of the fiber reel and landing gear.
“We sacrifice explosive power for agility and endurance,” says Michael.
However, a surprise attack from close range is usually effective. Michael estimates that up to 10% of fiber drones are used for ambush-type attacks
“The number is rising due to the tactic’s effectiveness,” says Michael. “It allows us to control a logistics zone and maintain the element of surprise, creating a psychological “fear zone” for the enemy.”
The best counter is to ambush FPVs is to find and destroy them on the ground before they can take off. Sometimes this can be done with small arms fire. More often, ambush drones are spotted by patrolling drones carrying out sweeps down logistics routes ahead of supply runs using thermal imagers.
“Even in “sleep mode” with motors off, the drone’s electronics generate heat. At night, a stationary drone is a glowing target for enemy thermal cameras,” says Michael.
The located ambush drones may be destroyed by bomber drones or other FPVs. One compilation shows 11 Russian ambush drones being bombed.
Ukraine also has more exotic sensors for spotting ambush drones, like the “Alien road scanner” seen recently which may use a form of structured light to pick out the shape of a waiting FPV.
Some videos show whole groups of ambush drones lurking on rooftops where they get bombed. In a new twist, Ukraine has started deploying fake ambush drones to decoy the Russians from the real threat.
The Future Of Ambush Drones
Things are moving fast. While technology under development is sensitive, we can talk about possibilities. At present operator fatigue is a real limitation, as the operator must keep watching the screen for a fleeting chance at a shot.
“A pilot may wait hours for a target, but must maintain peak concentration to react instantly when the enemy appears,” says Michael.
AI might help this with a monitoring function, It might even be able to filter out false alarms like the wandering wild hogs and other animals something seen by ambush operators,
“The most practical development would be software that detects movement and alerts the operator, essentially an automated sentry system,” says Michael. “This would allow pilots to monitor multiple drones simultaneously rather than maintaining constant watch on each position.”
Drone autonomy is increasing. According to Russian sources, Ukrainian sabotage groups already pre-position FPVs, activating them later to attack specific locations like buildings or parked vehicles.
A further step would see the drones equipped with AI to attack autonomously, but Michael does not think that such a system could be used. Or at least not by his side.
“While technically it might be developed, this crosses a critical line – human decision-making for targeting. The battlefield is too dynamic for autonomous targeting, “says Michael. “Distinguishing friendly forces from enemies, combatants from civilians, or recognizing surrender requires human judgment.”
The Russians have already deployed autonomous V2U attack drones which seek and strike without human oversight. Autonomous ambush drones would simply extend this concept.
Ambush drones have already been seen with improvised solar panels for extended, perhaps indefinite waiting time. Future battlefields are likely to be infested with large numbers of smart, long-endurance ambushers.
Ukraine and Russia are far ahead in this new type of warfare. The rest of the world has a lot of catching up to do, even as ambush drones are evolving to the next level.
