The moment Russian soldiers shot down Ukraine's 'Vampire' UAV

Russia released video from Ukraine's "Vampire" UAV, showing the moment Russian soldiers shot it down with a machine gun.

Russian military television today released video footage of a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) shot down by soldiers of the 331st Guards Airborne Regiment near the front line in Bakhmut.

"This is a Baba Yaga UAV model that Ukraine often uses to drop explosives on Russian positions. It recorded its last seconds of operation, before releasing the explosives," the agency said.

In the video, the Ukrainian UAV observes a Russian soldier wearing a red identification band in a trench. The soldier quickly spots the UAV, raises his machine gun, and fires several rounds at the target, causing it to crash. The Russian soldier then retrieves the UAV and takes it back to the rear.

Ukrainian 'Vampire' UAV recorded being shot down by Russian soldiers

Russian soldiers shoot down and capture Ukrainian UAV in video released today. Video: Zvezda

"This is an agricultural UAV, designed for irrigation. The Ukrainian side modified it to carry explosives," said a Russian soldier.

“Baba Yaga” is the name of an old witch who kidnaps and eats children in folklore. This is also the name Russian soldiers gave to the Ukrainian “Vampire” series of large UAVs, which caused a lot of damage to units at night.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said the domestically produced "Vampire" UAV has a flight speed of more than 80 km/h, a maximum payload of 15 kg and a range of 10 km. The UAV is equipped with a thermal imaging camera, allowing it to detect and attack targets at night.

However, it also has some weaknesses, such as the infrared thermal camera cannot see through thick tree canopy. The UAV also emits a loud sound when flying, making it easy for Russian forces to detect it from a distance, even at night.

Location of the city of Bakhmut/Artemovsk, the village of Kleshcheevka and the village of Andreevka. Graphics: RYV

Bakhmut is a city that Kiev lost to Moscow in May, after what was considered the bloodiest and longest siege since the conflict began. Thousands of soldiers on both sides are estimated to have died in 10 months of fighting there.

The Ukrainian army then focused its efforts on retaking the city, but only regained control of a few villages such as Kleshcheevka and Andreevka by the end of September.

Vu Anh (According to Zvezda, Forbes, Reuters )

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