“Two targets and ammo with one drone”: How a Ukrainian drone crew hunts Russian transport behind the front line

The Ukrainian drone crew of the Black Sky unmanned-systems battalion, part of the National Guard's 3rd Operational Purpose Brigade Spartan, is striking Russian vehicles well behind the front line. Commander Arti reported that the crew's middle-strike drones can target Russian military vehicles from as close as 50 kilometers and up to 150 kilometers away.

The drones' main advantages are their range, speed, and stealth, making them effective tools for disrupting Russian logistics. Navigator Schultz, also a crew callsign, noted that the drones are particularly effective at 50-60 kilometers from the front line. The four-person crew consists of a pilot, navigator, technician, and sapper.

Arti joined the military with the intention of flying drones, having previously served as a second pilot on another crew before moving to middle-strike aircraft. Schultz, mobilized in September 2024, transitioned from reconnaissance drones to middle-strike drones through his prior experience delivering supplies and munitions to Ukrainian troops.

The crew's effectiveness has made Russian forces increasingly reluctant to move their vehicles close to the front line. The crew's strikes have knocked out a significant portion of the enemy's logistics, leaving fewer supplies and personnel reaching Russian positions.