A video surfaced on social media today showing a Ukrainian-operated First Person View [FPV] drone, equipped with what appears to be a dual-barreled firearm, engaging and reportedly downing multiple Russian unmanned aerial vehicles [UAVs] over a contested frontline in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
FPV drone with double-barrel hunting shotgun hits Russian UAVs
Video screenshot
Shared by the X user @Archer83Able, the footage offers a rare glimpse into an evolving battlefield where drones are increasingly pitted against one another in a high-stakes technological arms race. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have not officially confirmed the deployment of this specific weapon system, but the development aligns with reports of innovative adaptations in drone warfare.
Militarnyi, a Ukrainian defense outlet, suggests the weapon could be a modified TOZ-34M hunting shotgun, a double-barreled design with potential calibers of 12, 16, 20, or 28 gauge, though the authenticity of these claims remains unverified by primary sources.
Ukrainian FPV drone armed a double-barreled gun shots down multiple Russian UAVs during a flight over the frontline. pic.twitter.com/uUdyOGFlUl
— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) March 30, 2025
The video, posted on the afternoon of this Sunday, captures the FPV drone in action, its operator navigating the device from a first-person perspective as it targets Russian UAVs. The footage shows the drone closing in on its targets, followed by brief muzzle flashes and the subsequent descent of the opposing drones, suggesting successful hits.
While the exact location and time of the engagement are not disclosed, the context points to one of the many active fronts where drones have become indispensable tools for both sides.
This incident underscores a broader trend in the conflict: the rapid escalation of drone-on-drone combat, driven by the need to counter the growing presence of aerial threats that traditional defenses struggle to address. Experts note that such adaptations reflect the ingenuity born from necessity in a war that has already claimed countless lives and reshaped modern military tactics.
The use of FPV drones, originally popularized in civilian racing and hobbyist circles, has exploded in military applications since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. These drones, typically lightweight and agile, offer operators a real-time view through onboard cameras, making them ideal for precision strikes and reconnaissance.
Ukraine has leaned heavily on FPV drones to offset Russia’s advantage in conventional firepower, producing over 1.5 million units in 2024 alone, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. The addition of a firearm—potentially a shotgun—marks a significant evolution, transforming these devices from mere explosive carriers or scouts into active hunters of other drones.
Sources familiar with drone operations suggest this could be a response to the increasing sophistication of Russian UAVs, including fiber-optic-guided models that resist electronic jamming.
Militarnyi’s report on the possible use of the TOZ-34M provides a tantalizing detail. The TOZ-34, a Soviet-era hunting rifle first introduced in the late 1960s, is known for its reliability and versatility in civilian use.
If adapted for military purposes, its dual barrels could offer a practical advantage in aerial combat, allowing for rapid successive shots against fast-moving targets. However, the outlet cautions that its information comes from unconfirmed sources, leaving room for speculation.
Other analysts point to the challenges of mounting such a weapon on a lightweight drone: the added weight could reduce flight time and maneuverability, critical factors in engagements where speed and agility often determine success.
Still, the concept is not entirely new—Ukrainian forces have previously experimented with arming drones with machine guns and grenade launchers, though shotguns bring a unique capability suited for close-range aerial defense.
On the Russian side, the proliferation of UAVs has followed a similar trajectory. The New York Times reported earlier this month that Russia claims to produce 4,000 drones daily, with plans to scale up to three to four million units this year.
These include surveillance drones like the Orlan-10 and kamikaze models like the Lancet-3, which have wreaked havoc on Ukrainian positions. The introduction of fiber-optic-guided FPV drones, highlighted by The War Zone in January, has further complicated the battlefield, as these systems bypass traditional electronic countermeasures.
The Ukrainian adaptation seen in the video could be a direct countermeasure, aiming to physically neutralize threats that jamming alone cannot stop. Neither side has released official data on the success rates of such engagements, but anecdotal evidence from soldiers and online footage suggests they are becoming more frequent.
Drone warfare in this conflict has roots that predate the current escalation. As early as 2014, during the initial fighting in eastern Ukraine, both sides began experimenting with commercial drones for reconnaissance.
The technology has since matured, driven by a mix of domestic innovation and foreign support. Ukraine’s 2024 establishment of a dedicated Unmanned Systems Forces branch, as noted by the Atlantic Council, reflects a strategic pivot toward integrating drones into every level of military operations.
Russia, meanwhile, has leaned on imports—such as Iran’s Shahed drones—and its own production to maintain parity. The result is a battlefield where drones are not just auxiliaries but primary actors, influencing everything from troop movements to artillery targeting.
The implications of arming FPV drones with shotguns extend beyond this single engagement. For Ukraine, it represents a low-cost, potentially scalable solution to a pressing problem. FPV drones are relatively inexpensive—often costing less than $500 each—compared to the sophisticated anti-aircraft systems traditionally used against UAVs.
A shotgun-armed drone could provide a practical alternative, especially for units operating far from centralized defenses. However, experts caution that the approach has limitations. “It’s a clever improvisation, but it’s not a game-changer,” says Dr. Samuel Bendett, a drone warfare analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses.
“The range of a shotgun is short, and you’re trading payload capacity for a weapon that might only work in specific scenarios.” Bendett points to the need for sustained testing and refinement before such a system could be widely adopted.
Comparisons to other technologies highlight both the ingenuity and the constraints of this development. Russia’s Solist missile-drone hybrid, unveiled by BulgarianMilitary.com earlier this week, offers a more advanced but costlier option, with a 10-kilometer range and real-time control.
Ukraine’s own experiments with fiber-optic-guided FPV drones, tested in January according to The Defense Post, aim for jam resistance rather than direct combat. The shotgun approach, by contrast, is simpler and more immediate, leveraging existing hardware rather than requiring new designs.
Historical parallels also emerge: during World War I, pilots used pistols and rifles to shoot at enemy planes before machine guns were standardized on aircraft. Today’s drone skirmishes echo that era of improvisation, albeit with 21st-century tools.
Voices from the front lines add depth to the story. A Ukrainian drone operator, identified only as “Taras” in a Kyiv Post interview last year, described the relentless pace of innovation. “We’re always looking for an edge,” he said. “If it flies and can hit something, we’ll try it.”
On the Russian side, a soldier’s plea for pump shotguns to counter Ukrainian drones, reported by Lawfare in December, reveals a mirrored desperation. Both sides face the same challenge: an enemy that can strike from above with increasing precision and frequency. The video posted today suggests Ukraine may have found a temporary answer, but the cycle of adaptation is unlikely to slow.
Contextualizing this incident requires looking at the broader war. Now in its third year, the conflict has become a testing ground for emerging technologies, from AI-guided drones to ground robots. The New York Times noted that drones have largely supplanted traditional armor in some sectors, with Ukraine losing 19 of 31 U.S.-supplied Abrams tanks to UAV attacks.
The financial stakes are enormous: Ukraine plans to spend over $2.6 billion on 4.5 million FPV drones this year, per Al Jazeera, while Russia’s investment remains opaque but likely comparable. Each side’s ability to innovate could tip the balance, though analysts argue that manpower and logistics will ultimately decide the outcome.
The video’s release on X also raises questions about information in modern warfare. @Archer83Able, a prolific poster on military developments, has a following that amplifies such content quickly. Yet without official corroboration, the footage exists in a gray zone between fact and speculation.
Militarnyi’s tentative identification of the TOZ-34M adds credibility, but the lack of hard evidence leaves room for doubt. This dynamic is not unique to this conflict—social media has long blurred the lines between journalism and propaganda—but it underscores the challenge of reporting in real-time.
As the war grinds on, the skies above Ukraine and Russia will likely see more such encounters. The shotgun-armed FPV drone, if proven effective, could inspire further adaptations, from buckshot to fléchettes or even small explosives tailored for aerial targets. For now, it remains a snapshot of a conflict where necessity drives invention, and every advantage is fleeting.
The last frame of the video shows the Ukrainian drone banking away, its mission apparently complete, while the fate of the Russian UAVs fades from view—a fitting metaphor for a war where the next move is always uncertain.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
In late February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, escalating a conflict that had simmered since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The initial assault targeted major Ukrainian cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mariupol, with the Russian forces aiming for a quick victory.
However, the Ukrainian military and civilian resistance proved unexpectedly resilient, leading to prolonged urban and trench warfare. International sanctions were swiftly imposed on Russia, and NATO countries increased military support to Ukraine, significantly altering the dynamics of the conflict.
Throughout 2022 and into 2023, the war saw fluctuating front lines, with Ukraine managing to reclaim significant territories during counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Kherson. The human cost was staggering, with tens of thousands of casualties on both sides and millions displaced.
The destruction of infrastructure led to humanitarian crises, with shortages of food, water, and electricity in various regions. Global attention remained high, with numerous diplomatic efforts attempting to broker peace, yet none yielding substantial results.
By mid-2024, the conflict had transformed into a war of attrition, with both sides suffering from military fatigue and economic strain. The international community’s response varied, with some advocating for continued support to Ukraine to maintain its sovereignty, while others pushed for negotiations to end the bloodshed.
The war’s impact was felt worldwide through energy market disruptions, increased food prices, and shifts in global alliances. Despite the ongoing violence, cultural resistance in Ukraine grew stronger, with art, music, and literature becoming powerful symbols of defiance and national identity.
As of early 2025, the situation remains tense with no clear end in sight. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have adapted to a new normal of sporadic but intense clashes, with significant areas of eastern and southern Ukraine still under dispute.
Humanitarian aid continues to pour in, though the effectiveness of these efforts is hampered by the ongoing hostilities. The war has become a defining issue of the early 21st century, highlighting the complexities of modern warfare, international law, and the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity.
***
Follow us everywhere and at any time. BulgarianMilitary.com has responsive design and you can open the page from any computer, mobile devices or web browsers. For more up-to-date news, follow our Google News, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages. Our standards: Manifesto & ethical principles.