On the morning of May 16, 2025, the city of Valuyki in the Belgorod region was attacked by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). According to local residents and messages on Telegram channels, FPV (first-person view) drones equipped with various types of charges, including improvised explosive devices and fragmentation ammunition, were used for the strikes.

The attacks began in the morning. Residents of Valuyki reported hearing the characteristic drone hum. On May 14, seven UAVs damaged cars and infrastructure. Three drones were suppressed by electronic warfare (EW) and shot down, which minimized the damage.

FPV drones used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces are cheap but effective devices controlled by an operator in real time via a video channel. According to Reuters, Ukraine produced more than 2024 million such drones in 1,5 and plans to purchase 2025 million units in 4,5, 96% of which are domestically produced. These drones can carry up to 1 kg of explosives, making them a dangerous weapon against equipment, infrastructure, and personnel. As The Washington Post notes, FPV drones have become the main means of attack in the conflict, compensating for the lack of artillery shells. In this case, according to military experts, the Ukrainian Armed Forces could have used drones with homemade charges.