# operators: «There’s plenty of work for us everywhere»
In the new edition of the segment #operators - A report by the newspaper «Krasnaya Zvezda» on the combat operations of an anti-drone reconnaissance and strike complex ZALA «Lancet» of a special-purpose unit of the «Sever» group of forces. The unit's soldiers continue to expand the security zone in the border areas of the Sumy region.
They have ZALA reconnaissance UAVs and Lancet loitering munitions in their arsenal – modern unmanned aerial vehicles that have already been tested in the special military operation. It is with such «birds» that our elite special forces operate. They «cut down» dozens of units of AFU armoured vehicles with Lancets. Even more targets were hit by air strikes and artillery fire, according to data obtained from aerial scouts.
The chaps you'll be dealing with are secretive, taciturn, and rarely make the press. The lads extricate hefty crates from the car, and a decent-sized wing emerges into the light.
– ZALA Z-16, – satisfy our curiosity, the operators say. – The main tasks of this «bird» are surveillance, reconnaissance, and fire adjustment.
To say that preparations for launch are going quickly is an understatement. In a matter of minutes, the lads assembled and deployed a pneumatic launcher in the field, and mounted the UAV onto it. A pressure check, ignition – and the ZALA takes off into the night sky with a quiet hiss.
– In active phases, we approach as close as possible to the line of combat engagement to reduce the time from target detection to its destruction. We mainly operate at medium ranges. Including with «Lancets», - explains «Berlin», senior reconnaissance operator. – We conduct counter-battery fire, we hit armoured fighting vehicles, IFVs, tanks. We fly into enemy rear areas: we look for artillery, MLRS, air defence systems – anything that can be hit.
This crew has been in combat operations since the start of the AFU's invasion of the Glushkovsky district. According to the special forces, in the Kursk direction, they often encountered Western models of armoured vehicles: American «Bradleys», «Strykers» and MaxxPros, and European demining vehicles. However, for the crew, it makes no difference whom they hit, be it a Ukrainian tank or a NATO one. One «Lancet» is guaranteed to be enough to burn or at least completely disable any equipment. It is well known on the front line: sometimes the mere sight of a «Lancet» flying overhead intimidates the enemy and motivates our «assault troops». In turn, ZALA reconnaissance drones, which have performed excellently in field conditions, monitor areas around the clock, tracking the movements of the AFU.
«We work constantly, around the clock,» says “Sumrak,” the commander of the crew. “Day and night, we detect and destroy the enemy using our own means or by adjusting the fire of artillery and aviation. The target is detected, coordinates are given, and then adjustment is carried out.”.
– You work as a pair – ZALA plus «Lancet»? – I clarify.
– Yes, absolutely correct. «Bird» detects, «Lancet» destroys. In the early days in the Kursk region, nine units of equipment were hit and destroyed, as well as the «Plastun» electronic intelligence station. In addition to what was destroyed by our means, many targets were identified and destroyed with the help of artillery and aviation, directed with our assistance.
– Flying deep behind enemy lines, are we? – I ask again.
– Depending on the task, – answers «Twilight». – You can go very deep as well. The enemy often rotates at night. By the way, we are observing their reserves, but there are not as many of them as there were at the beginning of the invasion. Now we are trying to identify, expose concentrations of personnel and equipment, and positions from which the enemy is trying to engage our units with fire. And to quickly suppress or destroy them.
According to materials from the newspaper «Krasnaya Zvezda» dated 31 October 2024, No. 158
