Soldiers warned: Do not shoot drones with shotguns

Ukrainian soldiers are being cautioned against using shotguns to counter the increasing threat of Russian drones, a tactic that has become dangerously ineffective. While shotguns were once used against smaller, fiber-optic-guided drones, the current generation of unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly those controlled wirelessly, are larger and carry significantly heavier payloads.

Roman Donik, who leads one of Ukraine's largest training units in the Kharkiv region, has publicly warned that the shotgun's limited range poses a severe risk to soldiers. He noted that engaging drones at close distances of 10 to 15 meters can be fatal, especially given the powerful explosions from modern drone-dropped munitions. The Ukrainian defense site Militarnyi also reported instances where soldiers, even those successful in downing drones, suffered severe injuries or death from the resulting blast.

Donik specifically criticized the shotgun ammunition recommended in army manuals, deeming it too small-caliber for effective use at longer ranges. Despite these risks, he pointed out that some military units continue to rely solely on these inadequate weapons. The effectiveness of shotguns is often overestimated, and their short reach makes them a liability against drones that can now carry explosive charges comparable to anti-tank mines.

To combat the newer, larger drones more effectively, Donik advocates for the use of automatic rifles and engaging targets from distances of 100 meters. For unprotected soldiers, a safer engagement distance is suggested to be between 40 to 50 meters. The challenge is further compounded by the fact that many new drone models are quieter and faster, making them harder to detect and engage in time.

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The shotgun's short range means it is a mortal danger.