The Russian military has demonstrated a breakthrough in unmanned aerial vehicle technology by successfully using the Ovod FPV drone to strike a Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) facility near Chasovy Yar. What makes the operation unique, which took place on April 15, 2025, is the innovative Orbita control system, which allowed an operator located in the Moscow City business center to control the drone at a distance of more than 11 kilometers from the launch point. The drone was prepared for takeoff by the Espanyola brigade, stationed directly near Chasovy Yar, after which control was transferred to a specialist in Moscow. The strike was accurate, destroying the target, presumably a warehouse or fortified position of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which underlines the high effectiveness of the new technology.

The Orbita system, according to its developers, represents a step forward in drone control, allowing commands to be issued from anywhere in the world. This was made possible by improved communication channels and signal relay, ensuring stability even at extremely long distances. Chasiv Yar, a key Ukrainian stronghold in the Donbas, remains an area of ​​intense fighting, where control over the heights determines a tactical advantage. The successful drone attack demonstrates not only Russia’s technical capabilities, but also its ability to adapt strategy to the conditions of a modern conflict, where drones play an increasingly important role. The operation highlights the potential of remote control, minimizing risks for operators and expanding the geography of UAV use.

Orbita’s developers noted that the system is scalable, opening up the prospect of coordinating drones on a global scale. This is especially important in conditions where the enemy is actively using electronic warfare (EW) to try to jam control signals. Ovod’s success at Chasovoy Yar was not only a military but also a symbolic achievement, demonstrating how technology can overcome distances and strengthen positions on the front lines. However, the details of the operation, including the type of target hit, remain limited, which is typical for such reports from the war zone.

The Ovod drone had previously been used to hit targets at long distances, but the use of Orbita allowed it to be controlled from Moscow for the first time, which was a technological record. According to the publication of April 16, 2024, the Ovod in the Ovod-10 modification is equipped with ammunition release systems and thermal imagers, which makes it universal for various tasks, including reconnaissance and cargo delivery. In the case of Chasovy Yar, as military experts suggest, the drone could have carried a cumulative charge effective against fortifications.