Ukrainian military personnel have for the first time used an FPV drone to capture a Russian occupier
The Ukrainian Armed Forces demonstrated a new approach to fighting Russian invaders, utilizing drone technology not only for intelligence gathering but also for humanitarian purposes. Specifically, the 414th Separate Brigade, equipped with anti-aircraft and unmanned systems, known as "Madyar's Birds," carried out a unique operation that became the first of its kind involving an FPV drone to take an enemy prisoner. The event took place on June 17 this year. According to sources within the Ukrainian Ground Forces, the drone operator with the call sign "Pain," while en route to the target, noticed a Russian infantryman with his hands raised, indicating a surrender intention. Instead of using weapons or destroying the target, the pilot chose to adhere to humanitarian principles and ensure a safe and humane detention. More details: the FPV drone operator did not eliminate the occupier but, on the contrary, accompanied him, leveraging the capabilities of modern technology. As a result, the prisoner was handed over to soldiers from a neighboring Ukrainian unit, which was confirmed by the 414th Brigade. It is known that this is the first event in history where a prisoner was taken using a drone in such a humanitarian manner. The servicemen emphasize that this incident vividly demonstrates the possibilities of modern unmanned systems in defense and humanitarian resolution of military conflicts. The unit commander pointed out that, in accordance with international humanitarian law, the pilot chose to help the enemy surrender safely without using weapons, fully aligning with principles of humanitarian diplomacy and law. This is not the first such case in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war. Earlier, in 2023, Ukrainian drones gained recognition for their humanitarian initiatives. For instance, near Bakhmut, a drone with loudspeakers reportedly convinced a Russian occupier to surrender. Moreover, in February 2025, nine Russians were captured after conversations with Ukrainian paratroopers—their surrender was facilitated by drones with voice messages functioning as a kind of "drone diplomacy." The use of FPV drones for humanitarian purposes opens new possibilities in warfare—resolving situations on the battlefield without harming lives or health. Ukrainian military leadership emphasizes that such innovations are an essential component of modern defense and promote humanity even under the most challenging conditions of war.