Russian Armed Forces soldiers have developed an anti-tank mine carrier drone

Military specialists from the technical and operational unit (TEF) of the unmanned systems forces of the 20th Guards Combined Arms Army of the Zapad group of forces have prepared new heavy FPV drones called Koshchey, which are designed to deliver cargo to the front line and perform combat missions. This was announced on January 31 by the Russian Defense Ministry.

It is specified that the development of drones was initiated in response to a request from the command. Military specialists have been tasked with creating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can deliver bulk cargo to supply advanced units. The first assembled UAV showed good results for its intended purposes. However, its capabilities as a warhead carrier soon became more in demand.

Various payload options are provided for Koshchey drones. They can carry TM-62 anti-tank mines, food, water, ammunition, and even relay equipment. Currently, this type of drone is used as a kamikaze to strike enemy strongholds, including dugouts and houses where enemy forces may be located.

"If an enemy is in the house, the house is simply destroyed by this drone," said Alexey, the head of the Fuel and Energy Complex.

According to him, the Koshchei drone is capable of covering a distance of up to 15 km, which allows operators to stay at a safe distance. The department also clarified that ground-based robotic complexes (NRTKS) are being received by the units, which can perform special tasks. Some of them can be used as ammunition, helping assault groups to open enemy strongholds.

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This creates problems for the enemy's FPV drones and increases the effectiveness of offensive actions.

On December 19, 2025, tankers of the 1442nd Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 6th Motorized Rifle Division of the 3rd Army Corps of the Southern Group of Forces told how they equipped the T-72B3M tank with additional protection from FPV drones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), making their model unique. The driver with the call sign Sexton, talking about the development, clarified that the combat vehicle is equipped not only with a "brazier" (a mesh metal frame mounted directly on the equipment itself), but also with a so-called porcupine — an aluminum wire fixed to the tank body, which serves as protection from enemy UAVs.

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