Ukrainian forces are increasingly deploying unarmed drones toward Russian positions in an attempt to drain Russian air defense units of ammunition. The decoy aircraft are followed by explosives-laden UAVs, forcing Russian troops to confront a new wave of aerial threats. A driver serving with a Russian mobile fire group, known by the call sign Tyukala, described the tactic in a report aired by the Zvezda television channel.

According to Tyukala, Ukrainian troops deliberately send drones without explosive payloads ahead of armed aircraft, hoping to trick Russian defenders into wasting their ammunition. Russian servicemen say such deceptive attacks have become noticeably more frequent.

Despite these attempts to mislead Russian units, mobile fire groups continue to shoot down various types of Ukrainian drones. A platoon commander with the call sign Raul said he had personally witnessed fellow soldiers destroy heavy Baba Yaga and Vampire drones. Russian troops also engage FPV drones, including the so-called Zhdun type.

Ukrainian forces have also adopted another dangerous method involving unmanned aircraft. A representative of Russian security agencies previously told TASS that Ukrainian troops were turning heavy hexacopters and other large UAVs into explosive traps.

The aircraft are fitted with magnetic detonators and left on the ground to create the impression that they have crashed or lost contact with their operators. When someone approaches one of these seemingly abandoned drones, the concealed explosive charge can detonate.