Full Breakdown
Ukraine Adapts to a Drone-Dominated Battlefield with Underground Ops, Net Guns and Aerial Medevac
By Drooid · · How we work
New Underground Operation Revealed
On October 21, Ukraine’s 2nd Khartiia Corps of the National Guard released the first video of Operation VELES, a joint underground mission. The footage shows troops moving beneath the surface in response to “constant aerial surveillance.” The corps said the battlefield’s transparency forced a shift “underground,” but did not disclose the mission’s location, objectives or tactics.
Counter-Drone Technologies in Training
In a training exercise on Oct. 20, 2026, engineers from BlueBird Tech demonstrated the Chipa net gun, designed to entangle the propellers of hostile FPV drones. The device costs roughly Hr 3,000 (about $67) per unit and can be fired only once. BlueBird’s engineer Eduard explained that the net gun is classified as a non-firearm to allow civilian purchase without a firearms permit.
Poliak, a soldier in the National Guard’s Omega unit, described the threat: FPV drones now threaten everyone in front-line areas, and the enemy does not distinguish between civilians and soldiers. During the drill he fired the net, catching a drone at 10–20 meters, noting that captured drones can still explode, so distance remains crucial.
First Reported Drone-Based Casualty Evacuation
Ukraine’s 92nd Assault Brigade announced the first aerial evacuation of a wounded infantryman using a heavy hexacopter borrowed from Gurzuf Defence. The soldier, from the 30th Mechanized Brigade, was lifted in a climbing-style harness under the drone’s central frame and flown out of a mined, drone-contested position.
The aircraft was originally a bomber, not a medevac platform. Gurzuf’s Heavy Shot night bomber is rated for up to 66 pounds (30 kg) of munitions—insufficient to lift a person. Earlier, the company displayed the Ayudag-6 platform (?220 lb, 100 kg) capable of carrying 154–198 lb (70–90 kg) over 15.5 miles (25 km), though the brigade did not confirm using that model.
A demonstration on October 14 featured a stretcher pod rated for 330 pounds (150 kg), shown to the Associated Press, indicating ongoing development of purpose-built medevac drones.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Khartiia Corps emphasized that the shift to underground operations is a direct reaction to “transparent” aerial surveillance.
- Eduard highlighted the civilian-friendly classification of the Chipa net gun and its role in protecting both soldiers and non-combatants.
- Poliak stressed the necessity of rapid response when drones are already within range, noting that “the farther away, the better” when dealing with explosive payloads.
Verbatim Quotes
- “FPV drones now threaten everyone in the front line areas,” — Eduard, BlueBird Tech
- “The enemy does not distinguish between civilians and soldiers now,” — Poliak
Data & Statistics
- Chipa net gun cost: Hr 3,000 (~$67) per unit; single-use.
- Effective engagement range: 10–20 m (wind-dependent).
- Gurzuf Heavy Shot bomber payload: 66 lb (30 kg).
- Ayudag-6 payload: 154–198 lb (70–90 kg); range 15.5 mi (25 km).
- Stretcher pod demonstrated on Oct. 14 rated for 330 lb (150 kg).
Why It Matters
These developments show Ukraine’s adaptation to a battlefield where drones provide persistent surveillance and strike capability. By moving operations underground, deploying inexpensive net guns, and experimenting with drone-based casualty evacuation, Ukrainian forces aim to preserve mobility, protect civilians, and sustain combat effectiveness despite the pervasive drone threat.