Previously, a police officer known by the call sign “Bilyi” served in Bakhmut, and is now one of the best hunters of enemy drones. Bilyi neutralizes any aerial targets—attack and reconnaissance UAVs, as well as fiber-optic drones. Each type of drone has its own weapon: from rifles to a simple blade.
Today, Bilyi is the deputy platoon commander of the 2nd Company, 2nd Battalion of the Special Purpose (Anti-Drone) Police Unit of the Main Department of the National Police in Donetsk Oblast. He has been serving in the unit since its inception, for over six months now.
As part of a mobile fire team, the officer protects civilian infrastructure and provides cover for crews repairing damaged utilities. The team is on duty around the clock.
“We work 24/7. The number of drones we shoot down varies depending on enemy activity and weather conditions. Sometimes we shoot down as many as five drones a day,” says Bilyi.
The effectiveness of the anti-drone unit depends on the operator’s ability to instantly classify a target and select the optimal tool for its elimination.
“Pump-action shotguns are effective against drones flying at low altitudes (FPV, fiber-optic). We shoot down targets flying higher (attack drones, reconnaissance drones) with automatic weapons. Fiber-optic drones are hard to shoot down. We often neutralize them manually: we cut the fiber, the drone loses control and falls without harming the population,” the soldier notes.
Since the anti-drone battalion began operations, police have neutralized over 4,700 drones using electronic warfare and firepower.
“We took an oath to defend. So we’re doing this for the sake of victory, for Ukraine, and for our people,” says Bilyi.
Watch the video for more details.
Based on materials from the Main Directorate of the National Police in Donetsk Oblast