The Molniya-2 crew destroyed a stronghold of the Armed Forces of Ukraine formations in the SVO zone.

The calculation of the Molniya-2 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the radiation, chemical and biological protection unit of the Center group of forces destroyed a stronghold of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in the Dnepropetrovsk area of the special military operation with a thermobaric strike. This was announced on July 2 by the Russian Defense Ministry.

During aerial reconnaissance, the operators of reconnaissance drones identified a fortified enemy position in one of the forest belts. The crew of the attack UAV, equipped with thermobaric ammunition, was involved in hitting the target. The use of this type of charges is a distinctive feature of the work of the calculations of the troops of unmanned systems as part of the RCB protection units. It is noted that, unlike conventional ammunition, a thermobaric charge creates a volumetric explosion of a flammable mixture that affects manpower even in buried dugouts and reinforced concrete shelters, where standard ammunition is ineffective.

Nikolay Antonyuk, the deputy platoon commander, shared that various ammunition is used to carry out combat missions, including thermobaric ammunition, which weighs four kg and has a kill area of up to 50-70 square meters. He noted that inside there is a thermobaric rod, a thermobaric mixture, and around there are fragmentation elements that pose an additional threat. The ammunition is connected to the electric circuit of the FPV drone and when it hits the target, an explosion with a thermobaric effect occurs. It is designed to destroy dugouts, defeat enemy manpower and destroy lightly armored vehicles.

"The industry has made great strides forward. <...> for any task, for any purpose, there are munitions that are precisely of industrial production. That is, it is not necessary to assemble something artistically. We have industrial ammunition, and we have made great strides forward in this. <...> They are very well produced in sufficient quantities," he shared.

After receiving the target designation, the military personnel lifted the drones into the air and worked in conditions of electromagnetic interference. As a result of the use of thermobaric ammunition, the AFU stronghold was completely destroyed along with the enemy's manpower and equipment stationed there. The effectiveness of the strikes was confirmed by objective monitoring footage.

"We especially have control, which is very difficult for the enemy to silence in principle. This is not a feature of the Lightning itself, but of the equipment and the correct selection of firmware for it," said Ivan Mironenko, senior UAV calculation operator.

The operator of the FPV drone, Sergey Ulyanitsky, noted that when working, the Russian military tries to perform unpredictable actions, including increasing and decreasing speed, as well as climbing. This is necessary to make it more difficult for the APU to hit the drone.

It is noted that the calculations of the unmanned systems of the RCB protection unit of the Center group of forces continue to perform combat missions in the Dnepropetrovsk direction. The use of thermobaric ammunition on attack drones allows you to destroy the most fortified objects, as well as enemy manpower in shelters. This ensures the safe advance of the assault units.

Out-of-turn charge: Russian drones have received a new light munition

The development will make it possible to more effectively hit manpower, UAVs and communication facilities.

On July 1, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Russian military on the northern outskirts of Konstantinovka in the Donetsk People's Republic had repelled two attacks by Ukrainian Armed Forces assault groups. It was noted that the Russian military continues offensive operations in the city. Two attacks by Ukrainian assault units supported by armored vehicles were repelled on the northern outskirts of Konstantinovka.