Russian Soldier Surrenders to Ukrainian FPV Drone

A Russian soldier surrendered to an approaching Ukrainian FPV (First-Person View) drone operated by the 13th Operational Brigade “Charter” of the National Guard of Ukraine, according to a statement from the brigade’s press service.

Video footage released by the unit shows the moment the Russian military man spotted the FPV drone, disarmed himself, and used hand gestures to indicate his intention to surrender. Rather than attack, the drone hovered nearby and guided the soldier to a designated extraction point.

The Ukrainian operators continued surveillance as the soldier walked to the pickup zone. A Mavic drone later took over the escort task until Ukrainian forces could take the prisoner into custody.

This event adds to a growing list of cases where Russian troops have chosen to surrender to drones during the war in Ukraine. However, the use of an FPV drone — typically used in direct strike operations — for a surrender is unusual. Most previous instances involved standard Mavic-type drones or those equipped with drop mechanisms.

In a similar case from August 2024, Charter fighters found a wounded Russian soldier in the Kharkiv region. Abandoned by his unit, he was located via drone surveillance. The Ukrainian forces dropped water and a written message with instructions. The soldier followed the directions, allowing the drone pilot to guide him toward Ukrainian positions.

He was later treated, given food and water, and evacuated in an armored Oncilla vehicle before being sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. That individual was eventually exchanged for a captured Ukrainian soldier.

The “Charter” brigade, now part of a larger “Charter” corps within the National Guard, has become known for integrating drone technology into frontline operations. The corps includes five brigades: the 3rd “Spartan,” 4th “Rubizh,” 13th “Charter,” 17th “Reid,” and 18th “Slavic” brigades.