28th Mechanized Brigade Begins Training Recruits to Shoot at Plates as Countermeasure Against FPV Drones

Instructors of the 28th Mechanized Brigade have introduced shotgun shooting at plates into the recruits’ training.

The brigade’s press service published photos from the training.

The new stage of training aims to train recruits to shoot rifles and improve their skills in intercepting flying targets.

To practice shooting, the instructors use target plates that are launched into the air at high speed, and the soldiers have to shoot them down with a shotgun.

The published photos capture the use of the SAFARI HG-105 semi-automatic shotgun, approved by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine in October 2024.

The weapon is designed to use 12-gauge ammunition with a magazine capacity of 5 or 10 rounds. The rifle weighs a bit over 4 kilograms.

It should be noted that currently, as part of military training, one of the mandatory stages is shooting at moving targets, which simulate both regular and FPV drones.

Additionally, since November 1, the General Staff has implemented a new basic military training program in all training centers of the Ground Forces, which has been extended from 30 to 45 days.

As part of the updated basic general military training program, recruits have started learning methods to counter enemy strike drones, including exercises on camouflage and self-defense using pump-action shotguns.

Additionally, fire training has been expanded: the number of shooting exercises has increased from 23 to 45, and the allocated ammunition for training has risen from around 500 to 866 rounds.

Rifle training in all training centers of the Ukrainian Ground Forces is conducted with AKM assault rifles.

Upon arrival at their unit, soldiers undergo adaptation and study of their personal weapons (AR-15, BREN 2, etc.).