Breakthrough Technology: Russian Soldiers 1,000km Away Control UAVs to Attack Ukraine
Russia has put into operation an intermediate control system that enables soldiers to direct UAVs and launch attacks remotely from anywhere in the world, a major step in next-gen military tech.
According to state news agency RIA Novosti, Russian servicemen executed a UAV strike on a Ukrainian position in Chasov Yar, Donbass, with the drone being controlled from Moscow, 1,000km away from the battlefield. This unprecedented move reflects a significant leap in remote warfare capability.
A Russian FPV UAV dubbed “Ovod” was operated via a new system called “Orbita”, which allowed full command of the unmanned system across vast distances. The drone was launched near Chasov Yar by the Española Brigade, flying over 11km to accurately strike its target.
This marks the first AI-powered drone operation of its kind by Russia. The Orbita system’s capability to control UAVs from practically any global location positions it as a key component in modern military AI integration.
“For the first time in history, today there was a UAV combat control operation from Moscow with a successful strike on Chasov Yar. We tested two elements. The first was the ability to control the UAV with a computer mouse. It worked,” said the Española Brigade commander, nicknamed “Ispanets,” during an interview with RIA Novosti.
“Ispanets” was reportedly in Moscow during the operation, while Ovod UAV developer Andrey Ivanov led a technical team closer to the front. “The task we set was remote control and we accomplished it. For this test mission, I rate it 4.5 out of 5,” Ivanov shared.
Observers are increasingly labeling the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a “drone war”, emphasizing the pivotal role of unmanned systems in combat since 2022. The war has transformed into a digital battlefield where combat innovation and rapid technological adaptation determine success.
With the explosive growth of drone swarm tactics and AI-guided systems, the ongoing conflict mirrors a high-tech cat-and-mouse game. As each side introduces new UAV strategies, the other quickly responds with countermeasures. Experts argue that dominance in this environment is temporary due to the ever-evolving nature of defense technology.
Both nations are experimenting with military-grade AI and sophisticated UAV setups. For instance, Russia has utilized fiber-optic controlled drones to evade Ukraine’s electronic warfare systems, which commonly jam radio-controlled drones.
Moreover, both sides have embraced drone swarming, deploying masses of drones to overwhelm air defenses. This tactic has intensified damage potential while complicating detection and interception efforts.
The integration of artificial intelligence in warfare continues to evolve, enabling drones to perform target recognition, tracking, and autonomous responses. Russia’s Orbita system is part of this AI-driven military transformation.
How Ukraine plans to respond to this technological escalation remains unclear. With soldiers in Moscow able to orchestrate UAV attacks deep within enemy lines, the rules of engagement are rapidly changing in this new era of autonomous combat and cyber-physical warfare.
