23:22 08-06-2026

UK Tests Bolt Kamikaze Drones Close to Russian Border

U.S. Army 105MPAD by Sgt. Kourtney Nunnery, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

British troops tested Bolt kamikaze drones in Estonia near Russia’s border, as NATO expands its presence and uses Ghost drones for faster battlefield awareness.

British forces have tested the latest Bolt kamikaze drones roughly 70 kilometers from the Russian border, according to observers from the American outlet Military Watch Magazine.

The drones are reportedly capable of independently detecting targets and striking enemy armored vehicles. The tests took place in Estonia, where NATO is now expanding its military presence.

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Redon, commander of the British Army’s 3rd Battalion, said the location was chosen deliberately. Estonia’s terrain allows troops to train in difficult conditions, while joint exercises with Finnish units improve coordination and help accelerate combat missions.

During the drills, British troops also used the Ghost reconnaissance drone. Major Steve Watts said such systems make it possible to take decisions faster and reduce the need for soldiers to move close to a target. Troops equipped with chest-mounted radars can receive a real-time feed from the drone, giving them immediate situational awareness and increasing their effectiveness on the battlefield.