Posted on 03/24/2025 2:13:42 PM PDT by hardspunned
In my latest video report, I bring you straight to the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war, where a Ukrainian kamikaze drone nearly took my life during a combat operation in Russia’s Kursk region. This was one of the closest calls I’ve had while reporting from the battlefield—and that’s saying something after years of covering warzones.
The footage captures the heart-pounding moment a Ukrainian FPV (First-Person View) drone locked onto our position as I rode alongside Russian Akhmat special forces during a civilian evacuation mission (With 5 elderly civilians inside the truck). As soon as we spotted the drone overhead, chaos erupted—shouts, profesional military actions and the undeniable sound of death stalking from above. But in the end we were saved by the actions of the Russian soldiers from "Akhmat" Special Forces. Russian military has a saying that when you survive a near death experience that is your second birthday. 📍 Location: Near Sudzha, Kursk Region, close to the border with Sumy, Ukraine.
(Excerpt) Read more at youtu.be ...
It’s all about the drones now. It’s insane. People need to understand how dangerous a battlefield is now. And it won’t be long before there are autonomous drones. I’ve been watching these for a long time now.
https://youtu.be/xkisydFh8rA?si=vfaZJAbIvzCMzT3E
Interesting shout: Allahu Akbar.
No shotguns?
There’s no hole to hide in either. The danged drones can follow you anywhere.
That was a shotgun that took it down, wasn’t it?
IATG
Patrick is doing some great reporting.
I’ve been waiting for them since I read Phillip K. Dick’s “Second Variety” as a kid.
SECOND VARIETY
The Russian soldier made his way nervously up the ragged side of the hill, holding his gun ready. He glanced around him, licking his dry lips, his face set. From time to time he reached up a gloved hand and wiped perspiration from his neck, pushing down his coat collar.
Eric turned to Corporal Leone. “Want him? Or can I have him?” He adjusted the view sight so the Russian’s features squarely filled the glass, the lines cutting across his hard, somber features.
Leone considered. The Russian was close, moving rapidly, almost running. “Don’t fire. Wait.” Leone tensed. “I don’t think we’re needed.”
The Russian increased his pace, kicking ash and piles of debris out of his way. He reached the top of the hill and stopped, panting, staring around him. The sky was overcast, drifting clouds of gray particles. Bare trunks of trees jutted up occasionally; the ground was level and bare, rubble-strewn, with the ruins of buildings standing out here and there like yellowing skulls.
The Russian was uneasy. He knew something was wrong. He started down the hill. Now he was only a few paces from the bunker. Eric was getting fidgety. He played with his pistol, glancing at Leone.
“Don’t worry,” Leone said. “He won’t get here. They’ll take
care of him.”
“Are you sure? He’s got damn far.”
“They hang around close to the bunker. He’s getting into the
bad part. Get set!”
The Russian began to hurry, sliding down the hill, his boots sinking into the heaps of gray ash, trying to keep his gun up. He stopped for a moment, lifting his fieldglasses to his face.
“He’s looking right at us,” Eric said.
The Russian came on. They could see his eyes, like two blue stones. His mouth was open a little. He needed a shave; his chin was stubbled. On one bony cheek was a square of tape, showing blue at the edge. A fungoid spot. His coat was muddy and torn.
One glove was missing. As he ran his belt counter bounced up and down against him.
Leone touched Eric’s arm. “Here one comes.”
Across the ground
something small and metallic came,
flashing in the dull sunlight of mid-day. A metal sphere. It raced up the hill after the Russian, its treads flying. It was small, one of the baby ones. Its claws were out, two razor projections spinning in a blur of white steel. The Russian heard it. He turned instantly, firing. The sphere dissolved into particles. But already a second had emerged and was following the first. The Russian fired again.
A third sphere leaped up the Russian’s leg, clicking and whirring. It jumped to the shoulder. The spinning blades disappeared into the Russian’s throat.
Eric relaxed. “Well, that’s that. God, those damn things give
me the creeps. Sometimes I think we were better off before.”
“If we hadn’t invented them, they would have.” Leone lit a cigarette shakily. “I wonder why a Russian would come all this way alone. I didn’t see anyone covering him.”
“ You don’t see many reporters on the front lines of this war.”
*******************************************************
Patrick Lancaster has been covering this war since the beginning. I started following him somewhat several years ago. You can always tell by his facial expressions when he is having an episode of “pucker factor” when he’s under small arms or close artillery attack. I haven’t seen this video yet but when I click on it I’m betting I’ll see the same pucker factor facial expressions when under drone attack.
He does have a good heart. I hope he survives the war in good condition,
An increasingly dangerous gig. Best of luck.
The Chechens are coming home to roost.
In 9 out of ten similar situations, all the people in that vehicle would be dead. The new technologies are improving daily. The era of land armored vehicles and naval surface combatants is over. This Ukraine war is akin to the Spanish Civil War. All the world’s militaries are watching closely, evaluating new weapon systems and are developing more sophisticated tactics. The silicon chip and GPS has revolutionized warfare.
I’m almost sure that wasn’t a lucky shot.
I think it was an even more lucky event. Look carefully, the drone hit a power line to my eyes.
His guardian Angel was on point that day.
PS
Watched it at 1/2 speed again, took for ever but it clearly hit a power line. You can even see the wire Bounce.
Watched it. I was going...what the hell? Guys got a short shotgun?
Looked like a 20 gauge or something.
Should be a 12 ga with a longer barrel.
Suppose they have no idea of them over there.
Or a 10 ga using 3 and a half mags.
I haven’t heard about that book. I’m going to look it up!
Old tech defeating new tech (jamming) for the time being.
Trees at the front are covered in fibre optic cables from drones
https://x.com/gabezzozz/status/1902642565410664839?s=46&t=oXM3QUNDayEotvdo1W-zQA
Most people excited shoot directly at the target.
No leed, no hit.
Btw. Other day i saw a vid of what they are using to shoot these things down. Looks like triple o buck. Should be number 4 buck shooting with at least a 28 to 32 inch barrel.
I forget 12 ga, but ten ga with 3 and a half mags has 54 pellets. 8 foot pattern at 50 yards. I know, i owned one and reloaded my own. MEC reloader.
The Russians started using fiber optic drones so they can’t be electronically interfered with. Short range, but harder to find the operator as well. They still use the regular remote controlled ones, as they are more long range, but vulnerable.
It seems the longer range ones find the target, then the optic fiber controlled ones zoom in for the kills. I’ve also seen ones that wait alongside roads and trails. Like the ultimate bouncing Betties, a vehicle goes by and they pop up and fly into them. How do you defend against any of that?
Just a matter of time before artillery is equipped with “smart” shells directed to target.
Would like to think that the technology is making mass war and the traditional battlefield obsolete. However human nature and history shows that there will always be mass wars.
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