A Ukrainian drone operation destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft on June 1, marking the farthest attack deep 4,000 km inside Russian territory since the war began in February 2022. The strike occurred a day before peace talks between the two countries were scheduled in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video statement that “Operation Spiderweb” was planned for 18 months and involved 117 drones targeting only military sites. Ukraine targets Russian airbases with dronesAccording to Ukraine, the attack was executed using FPV drones that were smuggled into Russia in advance. These drones were placed inside mobile wooden structures, hidden under rooftops, and launched remotely. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed attacks on five locations, including one over 4,000 km from the Ukrainian border.Also Read: Operation Spiderweb shows how small $400 drones deliver big blows to Russia’s $7 billion fighter jetsWhat are FPV drones?FPV stands for First Person View. These drones transmit live footage to the operator through a camera mounted on the drone. The feed can be viewed using goggles, smartphones, or other devices. FPV drones are often used in various industries, including media, but are also increasingly being used in military operations.According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, one major concern with FPV drones is reduced situational awareness for the operator, which can cause disorientation. A visual observer is sometimes required to support navigation. These drones usually have a shorter range compared to surveillance drones and are guided to targets after a reconnaissance drone surveys the area.Why FPV drones are used in battleOne of the key advantages of FPV drones is cost. A Reuters report estimated the cost of an FPV drone with a payload at around $500. This makes them cost-effective alternatives to conventional weapons. The report noted, “The tiny, inexpensive FPV (first-person view) drone has proved to be one of the most potent weapons in this war, where conventional warplanes are relatively rare because of a dense concentration of anti-aircraft systems near front lines.”FPV drones are harder to detect and can conduct deep strikes. This makes them useful for attrition-based strategies. Both Ukraine and Russia have been increasing domestic production of drones to support their military needs.Also Read: Russian missiles, Western worries: India’s arms map is changingUkraine’s FPV StrategyUkraine has used FPV drones since early in the war. Forbes reported that Vyriy Drone handed over 1,000 “all-Ukrainian” FPV drones in March 2025. Ukraine aims to produce over four million drones this year. However, there are concerns over component dependency, especially for parts sourced from China. A report by the Center for Strategic & International Studies last year stated that China dominates the global drone market and is a key supplier of essential components like lithium-ion batteries.India’s Preparations: Indian Army inducts FPV drones into its armyThe Indian Army has successfully developed and tested its first First-Person View (FPV) drone equipped with an impact-based, kamikaze-role anti-tank munition. This project, initiated in August 2024, was a collaboration between the Army’s Fleur-De-Lis Brigade and the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh. The drone features a dual-safety mechanism and live feedback relay system, ensuring precision and safety during operations. Five drones, each costing Rs 1.4 lakh, were inducted initially, and 95 more will be added later. The drones were fully assembled at the Rising Star Drone Battle School, which has produced over 100 drones as of March 2025.India’s Advanced Counter-Drone SystemsTo address the evolving drone threats, India is investing in advanced counter-drone technologies:Bhargavastra Micro-Missile System: Developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, this multi-layered anti-drone system employs lightweight guided and unguided micro-missiles to neutralize loitering munitions and autonomous swarm drones. It boasts a detection range of 6–10 km and an interception range of up to 2.5 km Akashteer Air Defence System: An indigenous automated air defense control and reporting system developed by Bharat Electronics Limited. Akashteer enhances the Army’s capability to monitor low-level airspace and efficiently control ground-based air defense weapons. It has been instrumental in neutralizing drone threats during recent conflicts .en.wikipedia.orgIndrajaal Autonomous Drone Defence Dome: Developed by Grene Robotics, Indrajaal is an AI-powered counter-drone system capable of detecting and neutralizing various drone threats, including silent and nocturnal drones. It operates effectively in challenging terrains, ensuring comprehensive aerial security.Also Read: The Ukrainian truck trick: How Kyiv smuggled drones 6,000 km into Russia to strike bases housing nuclear-capable aircraftOperational Preparedness and DrillsIndia has conducted mock drills simulating aerial and drone attacks across several regions, including Rajasthan. These exercises involved civil defense and State Disaster Response Force teams practicing emergency response scenarios, such as evacuations and blackout protocols, to enhance preparedness against potential drone-based threats .Strategic ImplicationsThe recent drone attacks deep inside Russian territory have highlighted the need for robust drone and counter-drone capabilities. India’s proactive measures in developing indigenous FPV drones and advanced counter-drone systems reflect a strategic shift to address modern warfare challenges. By investing in these technologies and conducting regular preparedness drills, India aims to fortify its defense infrastructure against potential asymmetric threats.
A Ukrainian drone operation destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft on June 1, marking the farthest attack deep 4,000 km inside Russian territory since the war began in February 2022. The strike occurred a day before peace talks between the two countries were scheduled in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video statement that “Operation Spiderweb” was planned for 18 months and involved 117 drones targeting only military sites. Ukraine targets Russian airbases with dronesAccording to Ukraine, the attack was executed using FPV drones that were smuggled into Russia in advance. These drones were placed inside mobile wooden structures, hidden under rooftops, and launched remotely. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed attacks on five locations, including one over 4,000 km from the Ukrainian border.Also Read: Operation Spiderweb shows how small $400 drones deliver big blows to Russia’s $7 billion fighter jetsWhat are FPV drones?FPV stands for First Person View. These drones transmit live footage to the operator through a camera mounted on the drone. The feed can be viewed using goggles, smartphones, or other devices. FPV drones are often used in various industries, including media, but are also increasingly being used in military operations.According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, one major concern with FPV drones is reduced situational awareness for the operator, which can cause disorientation. A visual observer is sometimes required to support navigation. These drones usually have a shorter range compared to surveillance drones and are guided to targets after a reconnaissance drone surveys the area.Why FPV drones are used in battleOne of the key advantages of FPV drones is cost. A Reuters report estimated the cost of an FPV drone with a payload at around $500. This makes them cost-effective alternatives to conventional weapons. The report noted, “The tiny, inexpensive FPV (first-person view) drone has proved to be one of the most potent weapons in this war, where conventional warplanes are relatively rare because of a dense concentration of anti-aircraft systems near front lines.”FPV drones are harder to detect and can conduct deep strikes. This makes them useful for attrition-based strategies. Both Ukraine and Russia have been increasing domestic production of drones to support their military needs.Also Read: Russian missiles, Western worries: India’s arms map is changingUkraine’s FPV StrategyUkraine has used FPV drones since early in the war. Forbes reported that Vyriy Drone handed over 1,000 “all-Ukrainian” FPV drones in March 2025. Ukraine aims to produce over four million drones this year. However, there are concerns over component dependency, especially for parts sourced from China. A report by the Center for Strategic & International Studies last year stated that China dominates the global drone market and is a key supplier of essential components like lithium-ion batteries.India’s Preparations: Indian Army inducts FPV drones into its armyThe Indian Army has successfully developed and tested its first First-Person View (FPV) drone equipped with an impact-based, kamikaze-role anti-tank munition. This project, initiated in August 2024, was a collaboration between the Army’s Fleur-De-Lis Brigade and the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh. The drone features a dual-safety mechanism and live feedback relay system, ensuring precision and safety during operations. Five drones, each costing Rs 1.4 lakh, were inducted initially, and 95 more will be added later. The drones were fully assembled at the Rising Star Drone Battle School, which has produced over 100 drones as of March 2025.India’s Advanced Counter-Drone SystemsTo address the evolving drone threats, India is investing in advanced counter-drone technologies:Bhargavastra Micro-Missile System: Developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, this multi-layered anti-drone system employs lightweight guided and unguided micro-missiles to neutralize loitering munitions and autonomous swarm drones. It boasts a detection range of 6–10 km and an interception range of up to 2.5 km Akashteer Air Defence System: An indigenous automated air defense control and reporting system developed by Bharat Electronics Limited. Akashteer enhances the Army’s capability to monitor low-level airspace and efficiently control ground-based air defense weapons. It has been instrumental in neutralizing drone threats during recent conflicts .en.wikipedia.orgIndrajaal Autonomous Drone Defence Dome: Developed by Grene Robotics, Indrajaal is an AI-powered counter-drone system capable of detecting and neutralizing various drone threats, including silent and nocturnal drones. It operates effectively in challenging terrains, ensuring comprehensive aerial security.Also Read: The Ukrainian truck trick: How Kyiv smuggled drones 6,000 km into Russia to strike bases housing nuclear-capable aircraftOperational Preparedness and DrillsIndia has conducted mock drills simulating aerial and drone attacks across several regions, including Rajasthan. These exercises involved civil defense and State Disaster Response Force teams practicing emergency response scenarios, such as evacuations and blackout protocols, to enhance preparedness against potential drone-based threats .Strategic ImplicationsThe recent drone attacks deep inside Russian territory have highlighted the need for robust drone and counter-drone capabilities. India’s proactive measures in developing indigenous FPV drones and advanced counter-drone systems reflect a strategic shift to address modern warfare challenges. By investing in these technologies and conducting regular preparedness drills, India aims to fortify its defense infrastructure against potential asymmetric threats. Economic Times
