Russia’s Mangas cargo drone helped save at least a company of soldiers from the Vostok Group of Forces by delivering essential supplies to frontline positions. A UAV instructor known by the call sign Buryat described how the unmanned aircraft supported Russian troops during months of combat operations.

According to Buryat, the drone operated almost continuously from August through October 2026, transporting food, drinking water, ammunition, radios, power banks and other equipment needed by soldiers in the field.

The instructor credited the Mangas with keeping at least a company of servicemen supplied with the essentials they needed to survive.

During the three-month period, the unmanned aircraft completed more than 650 combat sorties, carrying out supply missions for Russian military units.

Buryat explained that most of these operations supported the Vostok Group of Forces, although the drone was also deployed in border areas, including the Belgorod and Kursk regions.

One of the Mangas drone’s distinguishing features is its modular design, which allows operators to switch between different types of suspended equipment depending on the mission.

The aircraft can transport supplies, release payloads or carry a communications relay into the air, giving it several operational roles beyond routine logistics.

Buryat also explained the unusual origin of the drone’s name, which comes from Buryat-Mongolian mythology.

In that tradition, Mangas is a six-headed demon that hunts the souls of its enemies. The instructor drew a parallel between the mythical creature and the aircraft’s design, noting that the drone has six motors and operates at night.

While the Mangas has demonstrated its ability to sustain troops through repeated supply missions, its current tasks extend beyond transporting essential equipment.

According to Buryat, the drone is now most frequently used to deliver ammunition, conduct payload drops and carry out mine-laying operations.