Russia's 70th Motorized Rifle Regiment, currently deployed in Zaporizhzhia province, is testing a novel anti-drone system for its Courier ground drones. State television channel Smotrim reported last weekend that the new device aims to counter Ukrainian kamikaze drones.
A video shows the Courier vehicle, protected by cage armor, featuring a metal bar protruding from each side. At its front, a circular disc holds 9-10 thin cables. These are connected to an engine within the armor. When activated, the engine spins four axes and the discs at high speed, creating a fan-like barrier to deflect approaching objects.
"When first-person view drones attack, the cables will make them fall or deflect them to the side," said squad leader "Struk" in the video, adding that it is experimental equipment.
Matthew Loh of Business Insider described this design as a "giant lawnmower".
The effectiveness of this new method is still unclear, but it demonstrates continuous innovation from both sides in addressing the threat from kamikaze drones in the Ukraine conflict.
Russia has implemented measures like equipping tanks with cage and hedgehog armor. These were initially mocked by Ukrainian soldiers and some Western military experts, but later proved effective and were quickly copied by other countries.
Ground drones have seen wider use recently, capable of replacing human soldiers in dangerous frontline tasks.
The Courier is designed to carry heavy loads, providing space to attach bulky equipment such as the "anti-drone lawnmower." Military observers in 2023 noted that Russia patented a similar design, though it featured only one propeller on the roof instead of on four sides.
A device with a mechanism similar to the 70th Regiment's product, with propellers installed on all sides, first appeared in 5/2025.
Pham Giang (According to Business Insider)
