As small drones play an increasingly central role on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine has begun fielding a new type of ammunition designed specifically to counter them.
The new counter-UAS rifle rounds, which can be fired from standard NATO assault rifles, aim to provide Ukrainian troops with an accessible and lightweight method for defending against drone attacks without the need for specialized equipment.
The development comes as both Russia and Ukraine lean heavily on small, low-cost drones for reconnaissance and strike missions, a trend that has significantly reshaped ground tactics over the past three years.
With large armored formations proving highly vulnerable to drone observation and attack, both sides have transitioned to more dispersed troop deployments. However, small infantry formations remain exposed to drone threats, often lacking adequate point-defense capabilities.
The new round appears to be Ukraine’s answer to this gap.
On June 30, Brave1, a Ukrainian defense tech initiative backed by the government, posted a video on social media showing soldiers firing at a small drone using the new ammunition.
According to the footage, the round is compatible with common Ukrainian service rifles like the M4 and CZ Bren. Rather than a traditional bullet, the round breaks apart mid-flight into several high-velocity pellets, creating a spread pattern similar to a shotgun blast.
While the exact specifications have not been released, Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi reports that the round disperses into approximately five projectiles and is effective against drones at ranges of up to 50 meters. The design allows for rapid-fire engagement of low-flying drones without requiring specialized training or equipment.
In its post, Brave1 stated that production is ramping up, with the goal of supplying at least one magazine of the new rounds per soldier. The concept is simple: when a drone is detected, soldiers can switch from their standard ammunition to a magazine containing the counter-drone rounds, enabling a near-instant response without the need to deploy separate weapons systems.
This flexibility may prove especially valuable during Russia’s ongoing summer offensive. Moscow has increasingly relied on small drones to scout Ukrainian defensive positions ahead of infantry or armored advances, often replacing more expensive artillery spotting with real-time aerial surveillance. These drones, typically launched in swarms, can relay targeting information or drop munitions with relative impunity if unchallenged.
Ukrainian forces, facing resource constraints of their own, have often been forced to improvise solutions to drone threats. While electronic warfare remains a critical tool, it does not guarantee protection against all drones, especially those operating at short ranges or using hardened links. The new rounds represent a low-cost, scalable solution that aligns with Ukraine’s broader strategy of asymmetric defense.
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Post Image Credit: Brave1
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