Modern warfare - a drone shoots down a drone carrying two more drones (photo)

The Ukrainian military reported that for the first time they had destroyed a modified Russian Orlan-10 drone that acted as a "carrier" - two FPV quadcopters were attached under its wings. The incident took place in August 2025 - anti-aircraft gunners of the 118th Separate Mechanised Brigade, together with special forces, successfully intercepted and shot down this "mother drone".

Context and significance

A year ago, the Ukrainian air defence forces began regularly using interceptor drones to shoot down FPV reconnaissance drones. Since then, they have shot down many different types of drones: Orlan-10, ZALA, SuperCam, Lancet and others. Now, for the first time, an Orlan carrying two other FPV drones has been shot down. The Russians have resorted to this tactic to bypass the frontline, where electronic warfare systems create the densest radio airwaves, and strike far behind the lines, using the Orlan as a repeater.

The technique of large winged drones carrying small quadcopters has been used before. Repeater drone technology has generally become the standard for operations at tactical depths of 20 kilometres or more behind the front line. But this event became the quintessential modern warfare event - a drone shooting down a drone carrying a drone.