The Russian Federation may significantly expand the use of the ‘Rubicon’ drone units along the front line, creating real risks for Ukraine’s defense. This approach will allow Russian troops to deploy these drones simultaneously in various areas, rather than just in targeted strikes as before.
This is reported by Finway
Change in Tactics: What is Known About the ‘Rubicon’ Units
The commander of the strike aviation complexes of the drone systems battalion of the 115th separate mechanized brigade of the 10th army corps, Roman “Desna,” stated in an interview that the ‘Rubicon’ units are currently used by the Russian army as temporary reinforcements in selected directions. They are deployed in situations where standard Russian forces cannot break through the Ukrainian defense or advance.
According to the military, these groups mobilize a significant fleet of drones, attempting to inflict maximum losses on Ukrainian equipment and personnel in a short period. Their active duration usually does not exceed two weeks, during which they concentrate their efforts on one segment of the front.
“When a unit cannot advance in a certain direction, they call in ‘Rubicon.’ There is likely a large resource of drones there, and they work intensively against our equipment, shelters, and personnel to enable their troops to move forward,” the officer noted.
In Roman “Desna”‘s opinion, if the number of such units increases, they could become a permanent component of the Russian forces. This would mean that drone operators would appear in every battalion, regiment, or brigade, creating a wide network of drone presence on the front.
Ukrainian Response: Adaptation and Development of Technologies
The military also noted that Ukrainian units are actively adapting to the new conditions of war, developing their own production of components for drones and reducing dependence on imported parts. Special attention is being paid to the development of ground and aerial robotic systems to effectively counter units like ‘Rubicon.’
Roman “Desna” emphasized that the Russian army uses various types of drones: from cheap strike models to reconnaissance wings. Kamikaze drones, particularly of the ‘Shahed’ type, are mainly used for attacks deep in the rear, rather than directly on the front line.
Previously, the commander of the ground robotic complexes battalion ‘Alter Ego’ of the 93rd brigade ‘Cold Yar,’ Alexander (‘Electrician’), reported that the Ukrainian military is constantly implementing the latest ideas and solutions in the field of ground and aerial drone systems to maintain a technological advantage over the enemy.
In addition, active recruitment is ongoing for the drone units of the 10th army corps. Those interested can contact by phone at 098 911-70-11 or via email at [email protected], as well as through the official website tenth.army.