1st Azov Corps in Mariupol Begins Destroying Russian Logistics With Hornet Drones

Pilots of the 1st Azov Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine, have started systematically targeting and destroying Russian military supply lines in Mariupol using Hornet kamikaze drones.

The corps’ press service published video footage of the drone strikes on its social media pages.

The military said they are monitoring and patrolling roads up to 160 km behind the front line.

“Azov is returning to Mariupol, for now using a reconnaissance-strike system,” the corps stated.

Russian forces are using roads in Mariupol and surrounding areas to transport military supplies and equipment.

Drone camera footage shows that the main targets of Ukrainian strikes are Russian cargo trucks carrying troops, ammunition, and supplies, as well as fuel tankers.

The 1st Azov Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine stated that it is continuing to create a ‘sanitary zone’ targeting Russian logistics. The unit said the depth of its strikes will increase and added that it is already operating over Mariupol – currently using drones. They emphasized that this is only the beginning.

Previously, German journalist Julian Röpcke reported that the 1st Azov Corps is using Hornet kamikaze drones with artificial intelligence features to strike Russian logistics near Donetsk. A similar drone interface can be seen in the Mariupol footage, suggesting the use of comparable systems.

According to him, Starlink satellite terminals are used to maintain stable communication between operators and drones. However, detailed technical specifications of the UAV remain undisclosed.

Hornet kamikaze drone

The Hornet kamikaze drone is an aircraft-type UAV developed and produced by the US company Perennial Autonomy, owned by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

The Hornet is designed to strike enemy military equipment and concentrations of personnel at long range. A key feature of this kamikaze drone in its class is the extensive integration of artificial intelligence elements. Its exact flight range is not publicly disclosed, but it is estimated to be over 100 km, while the warhead weight is up to 5 kg.

US Army soldiers have also begun training to use Hornet kamikaze drones, which have been tested in Ukraine, during a series of exercises held in Europe.