New ammunition rounds transform Ukrainian rifles into anti-drone units

Ukraine’s frontline infantry is receiving a crucial upgrade: newly developed 5.56mm ammunition designed specifically to combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The move comes as Russian drone assaults — especially over Kyiv — have intensified dramatically in recent weeks, highlighting the urgent need for infantry-level air defence.

The new rounds, tailored for Ukraine’s most commonly used infantry rifles, feature a specialized warhead that disperses metal fragments upon firing. Unlike standard bullets that pierce targets directly, these rounds create a spread of shrapnel, increasing the chance of hitting fast-moving drones in flight.

Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov announced the upgrade on his official Telegram account, emphasizing the goal of providing every infantry soldier with at least one magazine of anti-drone rounds. He described the ammunition as a form of “last-resort protection” against airborne threats that increasingly populate the battlefield.

This innovation allows soldiers to target small, agile UAVs — including reconnaissance and kamikaze drones — using their existing weapons without requiring special equipment or modifications.

Developed by Brave1, Ukraine’s defence tech innovation hub, the ammunition has now been standardized according to NATO protocols and is slated for widespread deployment across combat zones.

Drones pose a growing challenge for ground troops. Their small size, erratic flight paths, and high speed often render traditional air defence systems ineffective in close-range combat. Brave1’s anti-drone ammunition addresses this vulnerability head-on. By arming each soldier with the ability to respond directly to an incoming drone threat, Ukraine is strengthening the agility and resilience of its frontline defence.

Though Ukraine already fields a mix of advanced electronic jammers and drone interceptors, these new 5.56mm rounds offer a unique tactical edge — especially in moments where split-second reactions can prevent disaster.

“They help significantly increase the chances of hitting an FPV drone before it has time to attack,” Fedorov added, underscoring the ammunition’s importance in countering evolving threats from the air.

By Nazrin Sadigova