War Robots: - The Chronicles

The German company Helsing has demonstrated the launch of its HX-2 drone from a high-speed landing craft. In April, the Ukrainian “Inquisition” UAV unit of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces first reported operational use of HX-2 drones in strikes against Russian forces. The demonstration highlights potential integration of such systems with maritime platforms for future deployment concepts.

An unnamed participant in Ukraine’s Brave1 initiative has developed a compact AI-powered turret capable of independently detecting, tracking, calculating flight paths, and neutralizing drones — including FPV drones. The operator’s role is limited to authorizing the strike. The 20th K-2 Brigade became the first unit to use the turret in real combat conditions. More than 10 different units have already received the system for battlefield testing. The development highlights how technologies once associated mainly with advanced states and global defense giants are now being built in Ukraine by small local teams working with limited resources.

In the Southern Slobozhanskyi direction, aerial reconnaissance operators of the STRIX unmanned systems unit destroyed 10 Russian Molniya strike drones. The interceptions were carried out by border guard drone teams operating along the frontline.

In February 2026, the special operations company of the Lava Unmanned Systems Regiment of the Khartiia Corps, with support from Khartiia Brigade forces, carried out a robotic assault against Russian infantry positions in Kupiansk. According to the released account, the operation eliminated 10 occupying troops holding a position inside the city. Rockets fired from an unmanned ground vehicle, together with a kamikaze ground robot carrying a large explosive payload, destroyed the enemy strongpoint. The strike reportedly cleared the area and allowed Ukrainian units to move into the position afterward.

The 1st Separate Center is now reportedly using Hornet AI drones, developed with support from Eric Schmidt. In this footage, a Hornet drone strikes a Russian Buk-M3 air defense system, highlighting the growing role of AI-assisted UAVs on the battlefield.

The Sapsan crew of the 105th Border Detachment “Khymera” reportedly used a STING interceptor drone developed by Wild Hornets to bring down a Russian Shahed UAV. According to the published description, the target drone was equipped with an R-60 air-to-air missile, or what may have been its mockup. The interception highlights the continuing evolution of Russian long-range drones and the growing role of Ukrainian interceptor systems in countering them.

Border guards of Ukraine’s Forpost Brigade are intercepting enemy drones on the Southern Slobozhanskyi axis. The footage highlights the unit’s ongoing work to detect, track, and neutralize hostile UAVs, helping protect Ukrainian positions from aerial surveillance and attack.

The footage shows Ukrainian FPV drones equipped with a pole and rope being used to bring down 12 Russian Mavic drones in the Dnipropetrovsk region. These scenes were released by the 46th Separate Airmobile Podilian Brigade of Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces, highlighting another improvised and effective method of countering enemy UAVs in the sky.

The Harpoon unit has released footage showing how its operators use a drone equipped with a homemade shotgun to shoot down enemy UAVs. The video highlights an improvised but effective approach to aerial defense, as Ukrainian drone teams continue adapting their tactics to counter enemy reconnaissance and attack drones in real time.

This footage captures an intense attempt by a Ukrainian interceptor operator to bring down a Russian Molniya-2 drone. Gunfire can be seen coming from the ground as troops try to hit the target, while another Ukrainian FPV interceptor also makes a pass but narrowly misses. What follows is a real aerial duel: the Russian drone keeps maneuvering to avoid being taken down, while the Ukrainian operator has to stay locked in, react instantly, and catch the target at exactly the right moment. A tense example of how fast and demanding drone interception has become on today’s battlefield.