Russian forces used the latest Mangas hexacopters to support assault operations near Varvarovka and Nikolayevka in the Kharkov sector. The unmanned aircraft helped troops from the Sever (North) group advance by destroying Ukrainian firing positions that were blocking their movement. A senior drone platoon operator with the call sign Kompot described the operations to RIA Novosti.

Kompot explained that he personally piloted a Mangas hexacopter while working alongside other UAV crews. As Russian assault units pushed forward, the operators identified Ukrainian firing points and struck them with aerial munitions. According to the serviceman, destroying a targeted position generally required no more than one or two attack runs.

The Mangas is designed to handle more than combat strikes. The large six-rotor aircraft can carry out aerial reconnaissance, locate enemy troops and transport food and ammunition to military positions. It can also attack Ukrainian strongholds using high-explosive munitions, combining reconnaissance, supply and strike capabilities in a single platform.

Having completed his work at combat positions, Kompot has taken on a different role. He now trains new drone pilots, passing on his experience in operating unmanned aircraft.

Meanwhile, Russian UAV crews are also targeting Ukrainian drones lying in wait for potential targets in the Sumy Region. Over one week, a team from the 34th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade of the Sever group destroyed 15 such aircraft, according to a company commander with the call sign Kot.

The Russian operators eliminated the waiting drones by dropping munitions from quadcopters. Kot explained that these Ukrainian UAVs can remain in passive standby mode for tens of times longer than aircraft that continuously stay airborne, allowing them to wait for targets over extended periods.

The commander emphasized that eliminating these waiting drones is one of the main priorities for Russian units involved in establishing a buffer zone in the Sumy Region.