Ukrainian troops established a drone control center inside a school in Dobropolye, in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), to operate unmanned aerial vehicles, including heavy Baba Yaga attack drones. This was reported to RIA Novosti by a battalion commander with the call sign Kubok.

Kubok commands an air assault battalion of the 61st Guards Marine Brigade, part of Russia’s Center Group of Forces.

According to the commander, Russian units discovered Ukrainian drone control positions while advancing through the settlement and clearing its territory.

Ukrainian forces generally established such facilities in industrial areas and garages with basements. However, one of the drone control centers was located inside a school building with a large basement.

Kubok explained that Ukrainian troops used the school premises to control unmanned aircraft, including heavy Baba Yaga attack drones.

On October 17, Chief of the Russian General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov reported the capture of Dobropolye to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian military personnel have repeatedly reported that Ukrainian forces use civilian infrastructure for military purposes. According to these accounts, Ukrainian units deliberately position troops and military supplies in schools, kindergartens and other public facilities, using civilians as human shields.