The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) effectively deployed drones equipped with target auto-acquisition capabilities against the invaders’ air defense systems.

SSU released a video showcasing these drones autonomously locking onto targets and successfully striking them.

Operators were able to target Russian BUK and TOR systems using these drones.

Before the strikes, reconnaissance and target adjustment were likely conducted by Shark drones.

Meanwhile, Russian air defense systems proved unable to detect and counter the Ukrainian drones, resulting in successful strikes against their targets.

“SSU operators destroyed a batch of Russian air defense systems at the front in a week. They added to their account: 2 BUK air defense systems of various modifications and one BUK air defense system target detection station, 2 TOR-M2 air defense systems, Strela-10 air defense systems, Tunguska air defense systems,” the SSU stated.

Such drones only need to reach the target at a relatively high altitude and mark it, and then the drone itself can strike the target.

Presumably, the Ukrainian drone with such technology has full protection from EW systems, because it goes to the target autonomously.

Among the advantages of such drones with machine vision and target capture, the best efficiency of striking moving targets is also noted.

Machine vision technology also gives drones a greater range of use.

Recall that in February 2024, the Minister of Digital Transformation Mikhailo Fedorov stated that two Ukrainian alternatives to the Russian Lancet loitering munition have already passed preliminary tests and will soon be tested in combat conditions.

He declared that drones have a lock-on function that would allow them to target during the terminal flight stage in the absence of direct communication with the operator.