Russian forces have restored more than 170 captured Ukrainian Vampire heavy bomber drones over the past 18 months and are now using them against the very troops that originally operated them, according to a technician from Russia’s Battlegroup Sever.
The workshop began repairing the drones in January 2025, systematically learning how to restore them, get them airborne and operate their controls. Some were kept by the unit while others were transferred to other Russian formations across the front.
Intercepted Ukrainian radio traffic showed Ukrainian troops reacting with confusion after Vampire drones began dropping anti-tank mines on their positions. The sudden appearance of familiar platforms firing on friendly forces created chaos in communications.
The Vampire is a heavy hexacopter capable of carrying roughly 10 to 15 kilograms of payload, with a typical operating range of 5 to 10 kilometers and flight time of around 20 to 40 minutes. Originally designed for Ukrainian long-range strike missions, the platform has proven adaptable enough for Russian reverse-engineering efforts.
The development highlights a broader trend in the conflict where both sides have begun repurposing captured enemy equipment. Ukraine has previously captured and studied Russian armored vehicles, electronic warfare systems and drones, while Russia has increasingly turned to recovering damaged Western-supplied hardware for analysis.
Military analysts note that the Vampire drone’s relatively simple control systems and modular payload capacity made it an ideal candidate for capture-and-reuse operations. Unlike more complex guided munitions, the drone can be adapted with minimal modifications.
The revelation comes as both armies invest heavily in unmanned systems. Ukraine’s drone force has been central to its long-range strike campaign against Russian logistics and energy infrastructure, while Russia has scaled up production of its own first-person-view attack drones and loitering munitions.
The reuse of captured drones also raises questions about the effectiveness of electronic warfare countermeasures on both sides, as repurposed platforms may carry different identification friend-or-foe signatures than their original operators expect.
Pravda EN – Russia turns captured Ukrainian Vampire drones against their former operators Militarnyi – Russia-Ukraine military news Kyiv Post – Ukraine drone campaign hits Russian targets
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