Russian Forces Test Amphibious Drone That Can Become a Kamikaze Boat

# Russian Forces Test Amphibious Drone That Can Become a Kamikaze Boat

Russian forces have tested an experimental drone capable of landing on water and transforming into a small unmanned kamikaze boat. The prototype was developed by specialists from the 11th Engineer Brigade of Russia’s Southern Group of Forces, which also trains operators in remote mine-laying. Graduates of the training center are already deploying explosive devices along Ukrainian supply routes near Druzhkovka, disrupting the movement of troops and military equipment. Zvezda TV reported on the brigade’s operations and the new amphibious aircraft.

The engineers have established a large workshop equipped with 3D printers to manufacture components for their unmanned systems. Among their developments is a prototype designed to operate in both the air and on water. Once the drone lands on a river, a servo mechanism raises its rear arm, allowing the aircraft to move across the surface. It can then function as a small unmanned kamikaze boat or conduct reconnaissance. The technology is particularly relevant to combat operations along the tributaries of the Kazenny Torets River.

The brigade’s work extends well beyond experimental aircraft. Its drone teams are using aerial mine-laying to cut off Ukrainian transport links around Druzhkovka. According to the training center’s commander, callsign Gusar, their primary targets are enemy vehicles, although Ukrainian troops are also targeted. Explosive devices dropped from the air create obstacles along supply routes, interfering with the delivery of equipment and other military supplies. Footage from the area shows these operations in action.

An instructor known by the callsign Rapira explained that remote mining eliminates the need to continuously track individual targets. Instead, operators can place an explosive device at a selected location and leave it there until it is triggered. The report also credited the engineering units with a significant contribution to the liberation of Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka.

Russian troops are now concentrating their efforts on the approaches to Druzhkovka, with fighting continuing around Kurtovka, Verolyubovka and Fedorovka. Reports from the front describe Russian assault units advancing along the railway line leading toward Kramatorsk. Russian military commanders previously announced that their forward elements had reached the outskirts of Druzhkovka.

Preparing operators for these missions requires extensive practical training. At the brigade’s indoor training ground, pilots navigate obstacles designed to simulate difficult flight conditions. They practice maneuvering through confined spaces, entering dugouts and avoiding tree branches. Separate exercises focus on attacking armored vehicles. Gusar explained that a tank mock-up allows trainees to practice directing drones toward the vehicle’s roof and flying them through open hatches.

Before handling real aircraft, recruits train on computer-based flight simulators. These exercises develop fine motor control and help operators become accustomed to rapidly changing visual information. Once they have acquired the necessary skills, they move on to practical flight training.

The specialists trained at the center are not limited to laying mines. They also operate attack drones, conduct aerial reconnaissance, destroy so-called waiting drones by dropping explosives and remotely neutralize mines using unmanned aircraft. These capabilities allow Russian combat engineers to carry out some of their most dangerous assignments without having to approach mined areas themselves.