FPV drones enter the underworld: A new era in Russian crime
In Russia, the first recorded use of an FPV drone in mafia dealings to eliminate a competitor has occurred. It seems the Russian mafia has begun adopting the combat tactics most famously utilized in Ukraine. Here's what this development implies.
According to the portal Rumafia, in a region of Transbaikalia, there was a case where a businessman was murdered using an FPV drone loaded with explosives. It likely had mafia ties since doing business in Russia often involves interactions with criminal groups.
In response, Russian law enforcement is enlisting local veterans experienced with drones from the so-called special military operation, referring to the war in Ukraine.
FPV drones — a revolution from the war in Ukraine
FPV drones gained notoriety in Ukraine around late 2022 and early 2023. After several months of successful operations against Russian equipment, their impact lessened due to the use of control signal jammers and disruptions in satellite navigation. Subsequently, both Ukrainians and Russians engaged in a kind of frequency war between drone operators and jammer manufacturers.
Recently, however, FPV drones have regained the upper hand, now more resilient to jammers due to the use of a wired connection using deployable fibre optics.
FPV drones — a remotely controlled bomb for mere pennies
FPV drones are simple constructions that can cost as little as a few hundred dollars, making them easily accessible for criminal organizations. Fundamentally, you need just a frame, a control system, an antenna (not always necessary), electric motors with rotors, batteries, and a camera. You can then attach nearly any explosive, effectively creating an inexpensive "guided missile for the masses."
In Russia's case, the assailant likely used a drone controlled remotely via radio communication, which doesn't leave a trace in the form of fibre optics.
However, specialized equipment can accurately detect the launch site of a drone, potentially leading to the operator unless various masking techniques are used, like positioning control station antennas away from their actual location. Some of these devices might be brought back for domestic use if mafia-related drone executions become more frequent in Russia.
