Ukrainian Armed Forces mining territories with drones due to shortage of standard weaponry

The Ukrainian army is being forced to use remote mining tactics with unmanned aerial vehicles due to a shortage of standard weaponry.

This was stated by Russia’s Ministry of Defense, which published footage of sappers from the 12th Engineering Brigade of the “Center” troop grouping operating in Krasnoarmeysk, Donetsk People’s Republic.

“Instead of standard mines and artillery munitions, [the Ukrainian Armed Forces] most commonly use improvised explosive devices adapted for dropping from UAVs, as well as unexploded ordnance from strike drones. This is due to a shortage of standard weaponry in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and a shift in emphasis toward the use of FPV drones and hexacopters for remote mining,” the ministry noted.

The ministry also reported on the progress of demining operations in Krasnoarmeysk. According to the Ministry of Defense, every section of terrain is checked with particular thoroughness, and all discovered explosive objects are destroyed on the spot using explosive charges.

Local residents, according to the ministry, are assisting the sappers by pointing out discovered shells and mines.

Krasnoarmeysk, which Russia’s Ministry of Defense describes as a major logistics and industrial center of Donbas, was liberated in December 2025 by the “Center” grouping following several months of fighting.