Buckshot buggies are the new Russian recipe for drone destruction

Russian forces have equipped their ground units with new anti-drone technology: a buggy mounted with a 24-barrel weapon that fires buckshot-type munitions aimed at neutralizing aerial threats from drones.

This improvised weapon, combined with six AK series rifles, indicates a subtle shift in battlefield tactics in response to the widespread use of drones in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These videos released by the Russian Defense Ministry show the vehicles in action, based on the iconic chassis of the Lada Niva 4×4 series.

The design and deployment of the weapon

The centerpiece of this new anti-drone strategy is the 24-gun configuration, installed on a remote-controlled turret located at the front of the buggy’s open central chassis. Although it mimics the appearance of a small rocket launcher, they are repurposed shotgun barrels configured to fire buckshot, allowing for wide-area effect against low-flying drones.

The rear of the vehicle features a manually operated mount equipped with six AK-type rifles, likely 7.62x39mm AK-12s, identifiable by their distinctive muzzle devices and front sights. Deployed in various combat scenarios, these vehicles represent a tactical adaptation to the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including reconnaissance and kamikaze drones widely used by Russian and Ukrainian forces.

These adapted buggies result from the evolution of anti-drone measures during technology wars, where defensive capabilities are continually updated in response to new offensive tools.

Operational use and efficiency

In Ukraine, these anti-drone buggies are deployed primarily to protect troops and key installations from increasingly frequent and varied drone attacks. The vehicles function as short-range air defense systems to patrol active front lines and areas prone to drone surveillance and strikes. The tactical mobility of these buggies allows them to quickly respond to drone threats in urban environments or rural battlefields.

The 24-barrel shotgun system is designed to maximize the impact area and create a wide net to intercept low-flying drones. Initial field reports suggest that the barrage of buckshot can disrupt or outright disable small and medium-sized drones. However, the effectiveness of this approach varies significantly depending on the altitude and speed of the target drones. Although effective at close range, the manual system’s usefulness diminishes against high-altitude or fast-moving targets, which are less likely to be within lethal range of shotgun ammunition.

The main limitation noted concerns the range and payload capacity of the weapon. Reloading the 24 barrels can be laborious and time-consuming, making the technology insufficient during prolonged engagements or facing swarms of drones.

Additionally, the effectiveness of rear-mounted AK-12 rifles is limited by the lack of sophisticated aiming devices, relying instead on sight, which may not be optimal for moving aerial targets quickly.

Technological adaptations and responses

The continued escalation of drone warfare has pushed Russian and Ukrainian forces to innovate rapidly, leading to a cat-and-mouse cycle of technological adaptation. As drones have become smaller, faster, and more autonomous, countermeasures have evolved from simple gunfire to more specialized systems like these multi-barrel buggies.

Both sides have experimented with various configurations of anti-drone technologies. Ukrainian forces, for example, have deployed similar multi-rifle configurations and have also been seen testing different types of munitions to improve drone strike capabilities. This includes exploring options for heavier calibers and specialized ammunition designed to maximize drone damage with minimal ammunition expenditure.

Added to these kinetic solutions is an increasing use of electronic warfare tools designed to jam or hijack drone communications and navigation systems. These electronic countermeasures complement physical interception strategies, providing a layered defense that protects ground units against drone threats.

Strategic implications and future

The arms race in drone and anti-drone technology is expected to accelerate, with progress likely focused on improving range, accuracy, and reloading speeds.

Innovations could include automated targeting systems and the integration of networked battlefield sensors to improve reaction times against drone swarms. Additionally, evolving countermeasures against drones will likely spur advances in drone design, promoting greater stealth, speed, and operational flexibility.

The global implications of these developments could hugely influence military procurement as the need for versatile, rapidly deployable anti-drone systems increases. However, as nations continue to innovate in this arms race, crucial questions arise about the rules and ethics of engagement in a world where warfare is increasingly dominated by distant systems and autonomous.