SWO - ZALA - Unmanned Systems (UAS), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

#operators: «Shuler» works with surgical precision

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:41:02 +0000

In the new issue #operators report from the newspaper «Krasnaya Zvezda» about the combat operations of the ZALA «Lancet» reconnaissance and strike complex crew from the Guards Artillery Brigade of the «Southern» group of troops.

The combat journey of these lads as ZALA UAV operators began in 2023. The servicemen are successfully carrying out aerial reconnaissance, adjusting artillery fire, and also participating in counter-battery warfare, destroying targets at ranges of several tens of kilometres. This new weapon, possessing a large operational radius and a significant warhead, has proven extremely effective against artillery installations, anti-aircraft missile systems, radar stations, and AFU armoured vehicles, including those produced by NATO countries.

The commander of this unit is an officer with the call sign «Shuler». In 2022, after graduating from the A.F. Mozhaysky Military Space Academy, he was sent to the special military operation zone. In the Krasnolimansky and Donetsk directions, his unit successfully carried out tasks for reconnaissance and artillery fire adjustment.

Then it was time to master new equipment and weapons.«This was a very productive training. I enjoyed it. I honestly wasn't expecting it to be this good.», – says the officer. During their training, the servicemen first thoroughly studied the theory. Then, in practice, they began to master the control of drones. Experienced instructors conducted classes with them, who were able to provide the crews with the necessary knowledge and skills.

All UAV calculations within the division are capable of operating autonomously, which is why they often simultaneously carry out tasks for several units and over a very wide area. As a rule, ZALA reconnaissance drones are constantly in the air, with the help of which operators conduct target searches. Upon detection, they identify the object and assess the situation. After calculating the route to the target, the servicemen launch a loitering munition.

After operating in this manner for almost a year, the «Shuler» reconnaissance-strike battalion has located and struck over 100 targets. This list includes not only Soviet-made equipment but also American, German, Polish, and Czech. The «Lancet» crews primarily target artillery systems and radar stations, however, their list of destroyed targets also includes tanks.

Last winter, on one of the sectors, the unit detected two camouflaged AFU tanks in a forest belt, two kilometres apart. Due to the strong wind that had picked up, it seemed impossible to hit them with loitering munitions. However, «Berkut», an experienced UAV operator, decided to test his skill.

He first launched the first Lancet at a single target and, despite poor weather conditions, hit it. Then there was a second launch – and the same result. As a result, two tanks, a T-72 and a Leopard, were hit by the UAV in bad weather. «Shuler» is still amazed by his subordinate's feat.«The task was completed, though it was practically impossible. But he somehow managed to do it.», – «The Cheat» recounts.

«Berkut» is one of the most proactive and experienced servicemen in the division. He was one of the first in the unit to start mastering the «Lancet,» and therefore knows this weapon well. According to «Shuler,» «Berkut» always gives his all to achieve the common goal, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to the combat work.

To date, several servicemen of the unit have been awarded high honours. Three of them have state awards (Medals of Zhukov and «For Courage»), and four have been awarded departmental medals.

According to materials from the newspaper «Krasnaya Zvezda» dated 2 August 2024, No. 94

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Сообщение #операторы: «Шулер» работает с хирургической точностью появились сначала на ZALA — Беспилотные системы (БПЛА), беспилотные воздушные суда (БВС).

Ministry of Defence: ZALA «Lancet» ROK crew destroyed a Ukrainian Armed Forces HMMWV armoured vehicle in the Sumy region.

The Ministry of Defence has shown the coordinated interaction of reconnaissance-strike complex ZALA «Lancet» crews of the 34th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade (Mountain) of the «Sever» group of forces. Operators of the ZALA Z-16 reconnaissance UAV are working around the clock in the sky over Sumy Oblast, identifying concentrations of Ukrainian militants' forces, their strongholds, firing positions, artillery pieces, command posts, and UAV take-off points, as well as correcting the fire of Russian artillery crews.

To widen the security zone, enemy military equipment, personnel, and fortified defensive structures are being struck by Lancet loitering munitions.

At one of the front-line sectors, a ZALA Z-16 drone identified an enemy combat armoured vehicle, a US-made HMMWV. The enemy's coordinates were promptly relayed to a control point. Following this, a Lancet loitering munition crew quickly launched it and guided it to the target. Objective control by the Z-16 confirmed the destruction of the Ukrainian Armed Forces« armoured vehicle.

Videos Russian Ministry of Defence

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Сообщение Минобороны: расчёт РУК ZALA «Ланцет» уничтожил бронеавтомобиль HMMWV ВСУ в Сумской области появились сначала на ZALA — Беспилотные системы (БПЛА), беспилотные воздушные суда (БВС).

The «Akatsiya» self-propelled howitzer, supported by a ZALA Z-16, destroyed camouflaged AFU fortifications.

Aerial reconnaissance in the area of the settlement of Verkhnya Tersa, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, revealed a concentration of the enemy: buildings have been converted into Ukrainian Armed Forces troop deployment points, and camouflaged dugouts have been equipped in the adjacent afforested areas. The coordinates of the targets were transmitted to the self-propelled artillery mount «Akatsiya» crews of the «Vostok» troop grouping. Fire adjustment and objective control of the artillery strikes were provided by the ZALA Z-16 reconnaissance UAV.

As a result of precise fire strikes, structures and fortifications in the forest belts have been destroyed, and the enemy personnel located within them have been eliminated.

Videos Russian Ministry of Defence

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Сообщение Расчет САУ «Акация» при поддержке ZALA Z-16 уничтожил замаскированные укрепления ВСУ появились сначала на ZALA — Беспилотные системы (БПЛА), беспилотные воздушные суда (БВС).

IRRA vs. Camouflage: ZALA «Lancet» UAV Identifies Hidden AFU Equipment

ZALA Lancet UAVs of the «Sever» group of forces destroyed camouflaged enemy equipment in the Sumy region. Intelligent Target Acquisition and Recognition System IRRA allowed the operators of the Lancet loitering munition to quickly identify AFU equipment hidden in the forest and deliver a precise strike.

Objective control from the ZALA Z-16 reconnaissance UAV confirmed the destruction of enemy artillery.

Videos TASS

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Сообщение ИРРА против маскировки: РУК ZALA «Ланцет» идентифицировал скрытую технику ВСУ появились сначала на ZALA — Беспилотные системы (БПЛА), беспилотные воздушные суда (БВС).

ZALA Lancet loitering munitions destroy Ukrainian AF BMPs on a night road

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:01:07 +0000

Operators of the ZALA Z-16 reconnaissance UAV have detected the night advance of AFU equipment in one of the areas of Dnipropetrovsk region.

A Lancet barrage munition «hijacked» a road-moving TBM using a IRRA intelligent targeting and recognition system. The precision strike caused the ammunition to detonate.

Objective control footage from the ZALA Z-16 records the complete destruction of enemy equipment.

Video Source

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Сообщение Расчёт РУК ZALA «Ланцет» уничтожил ББМ ВСУ на ночной дороге появились сначала на ZALA — Беспилотные системы (БПЛА), беспилотные воздушные суда (БВС).

The Ukrainian MLRS «Grad» was destroyed by a ZALA «Lancet» UAV crew in Zaporizhzhia.

Thursday, 09 April 2026 07:01:11 +0000

Service members of the Eastern Group of Forces destroyed an enemy Grad MLRS using a loitering munition. Video footage from a Lancet shows how it activated. Intelligent Target Acquisition and Recognition System (ITARS).

The destruction of enemy equipment was confirmed by objective control from the ZALA Z-16 reconnaissance UAV.

TASS Video

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Сообщение РСЗО «Град» ВСУ уничтожен расчетом РУК ZALA «Ланцет» в Запорожье появились сначала на ZALA — Беспилотные системы (БПЛА), беспилотные воздушные суда (БВС).

Co-ordinated work of ZALA Z-16 reconnaissance aircraft and artillery in the Krasnolimansky direction

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:32:48 +0000

Fighters from the «West» group inflicted fire damage on several brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As reported by NTV, Russian assault units were covered by a swarm of ZALA Z-16 reconnaissance UAVs and self-propelled artillery.

Just a few minutes after takeoff, the Z-16 detects enemy heavy armour. The coordinates are immediately transmitted to the 169th Motor Rifle Brigade of the 25th Army of the «West» grouping, and from there to the artillerymen. The chain is completed by a «Msta-S» self-propelled howitzer. The target is hit with the first shot.

The Z-16's low-profile wing is almost undetectable, even in clear weather, according to the soldiers. The camera with 30x magnification and thermal imager allow targets to be identified from a height of several hundred metres. Another significant advantage is the reliable and continuous communication channel. This is why ZALA recon drones are currently one of the main threats to the enemy in the Krasnolymansk direction.

ZALA Lancet drones destroyed camouflaged Ukrainian Armed Forces artillery

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:01:59 +0000

Video footage from a loitering munition shows a Lancet targeting Ukrainian Armed Forces equipment camouflaged in a forest belt. Objective control from a ZALA Z-16 reconnaissance UAV confirmed a direct hit on an enemy towed artillery piece, which caused ammunition detonation. The target was destroyed by a ZALA Lancet RUK crew of the 291st Guards Artillery Brigade.

Video Source

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Сообщение Расчет РУК ZALA «Ланцет» уничтожил замаскированную артиллерию ВСУ появились сначала на ZALA — Беспилотные системы (БПЛА), беспилотные воздушные суда (БВС).

ZALA Lancet loitering munition destroyed enemy self-propelled artillery at its firing position

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:36:38 +0000

Another Ukrainian self-propelled artillery piece has been destroyed in Donbas by a ZALA «Lancet» loitering munition from the «Rubikon» Centre. The enemy self-propelled gun, on its firing position, was targeted by a «Lancet» loitering munition. Footage from onboard cameras shows the loitering munition precisely guiding itself onto the target, supported by an intelligent guidance and target recognition system. The destruction of the Ukrainian artillery piece has been confirmed by objective control from a ZALA Z-16.

Video by the "Rubicon" Center.

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Сообщение Расчет РУК ZALA «Ланцет» уничтожил САУ противника на огневой позиции появились сначала на ZALA — Беспилотные системы (БПЛА), беспилотные воздушные суда (БВС).

A pair of AFU armoured vehicles destroyed by a ZALA «Lancet» UAV crew in Zaporizhzhia

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:18:09 +0000

Operators of a reconnaissance-strike unit detected the movement of two enemy armoured vehicles in one of the sectors of the Zaporizhzhia region.

Targets were struck by Lancet loitering munitions. The strikes were carried out using an onboard intelligent guidance and target recognition system.

Footage from ZALA Z-16 UAV objective surveillance shows Lancet loitering munitions hitting Ukrainian Armed Forces equipment one after another. Subsequent drone reconnaissance confirmed the destruction of armoured vehicles.

Video Source

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Сообщение Пара бронемашин ВСУ уничтожена расчетом РУК ZALA «Ланцет» в Запорожье появились сначала на ZALA — Беспилотные системы (БПЛА), беспилотные воздушные суда (БВС).