The proliferation of drone attacks in the Ukraine conflict has spurred a resourcefulness amongst Russian soldiers, leading to the emergence of do-it-yourself (DIY) anti-drone buckshot rounds for the AK-74 assault rifle. Faced with a shortage of traditional shotguns, which are preferred for engaging small, fast-moving targets like drones, and inundated by over a million Ukrainian drone deployments this year, Russian soldiers are adapting their readily available AK-74s for this purpose. This adaptation reflects a broader trend of battlefield improvisation driven by the prevalence of drone warfare over traditional infantry combat. The DIY approach involves readily accessible materials, like electrical wire insulation sleeving, ball bearings, and a candle for heat-shrinking the sleeve around the projectiles. After removing the standard 5.45mm bullet from a cartridge, the ball bearings are inserted and the casing is hand-crimped around them. While videos demonstrate this process and even purport to showcase successful drone takedowns with these makeshift rounds, the efficacy and practicality of this method remain questionable.
The DIY buckshot modification offers a readily available counter-drone solution, but comes with significant limitations. The rounds typically utilize around seven small ball bearings, a number that pales in comparison to the hundreds of pellets found in specialized anti-drone shotgun shells. This limited payload, coupled with the crude construction method, results in poor accuracy and a limited effective range. Furthermore, the use of plastic sleeves to contain the ball bearings creates residue buildup in the barrel, necessitating frequent cleaning and the alternation of buckshot rounds with standard ammunition or tracers to maintain functionality. While this DIY solution may provide a psychological boost to soldiers facing the constant threat of drone attacks, its actual effectiveness remains dubious. The prevalence of videos demonstrating the creation and supposed use of these rounds, however, highlights the widespread adoption of this improvised approach by Russian troops.
In contrast to the makeshift nature of the AK-74 conversion, the counter-drone shotgun market is witnessing a surge in demand and innovation. Ukraine’s procurement of thousands of shotguns specifically for drone defense underscores the recognized effectiveness of this weapon type against small drones. Established arms manufacturers are responding to this demand with specialized models and ammunition. Benelli’s M4 A.I. Drone Guardian, for instance, is specifically designed for engaging small quadcopter drones and is being supplied to military forces along with purpose-built ammunition like the AD-LER rounds. These rounds, crafted with denser tungsten pellets, are designed for increased range and effectiveness against durable drone constructions, showcasing a more sophisticated and effective approach to the growing drone threat.
The AD-LER rounds, developed by Norma, represent a significant advancement in anti-drone shotgun ammunition. Extensive testing revealed that traditional lead shot was often insufficient against certain drones, especially at longer ranges. The AD-LER rounds address this deficiency by utilizing larger, denser tungsten pellets, significantly improving their ballistic performance and effectiveness. A single AD-LER round contains approximately 350 pellets, a stark contrast to the mere handful in the improvised AK-74 rounds. This higher pellet count translates to a much greater probability of hitting a small, agile drone, even at extended distances. Furthermore, the purpose-built ammunition avoids the fouling issues associated with the DIY plastic sleeves, making it a more reliable and consistent counter-drone solution. While other specialized shotgun rounds, like net-launching projectiles, also exist, the combination of the Benelli shotgun and AD-LER ammunition appears to be a leading solution in the counter-drone space.
While the DIY AK-74 conversion provides a seemingly accessible counter-drone option for Russian soldiers, its limitations are stark when compared to dedicated anti-drone solutions. The inherent inaccuracy, limited range, and fouling issues associated with the improvised rounds raise serious questions about their practical effectiveness. Even if successful, the act of stopping to aim and fire at a drone exposes the soldier to further risk, making them a static and easy target for other drones or enemy fire. The Ukrainian battlefield often witnesses multiple FPV (First Person View) drones converging on a single soldier, making the act of engaging a single drone even more perilous. Furthermore, documented instances of successful drone interceptions with small arms fire are incredibly rare, while videos of soldiers being struck while attempting this are far more common.
Expert analysis of FPV drone attack footage further emphasizes the questionable effectiveness of small arms fire against drones. OSINT analyst Andrew Perpetua, who extensively reviews and geolocates drone strike videos, has observed a consistent pattern of Russian soldiers being killed while attempting to engage drones with shotguns. This suggests that the perceived advantage offered by the DIY buckshot rounds, or even dedicated anti-drone shotguns, may be illusory. While these weapons may offer a sense of agency and control against the overwhelming drone threat, their actual effectiveness in real-world scenarios appears minimal. The prevalence of these improvised solutions likely stems from a combination of resourcefulness, necessity, and a desperate attempt to counter a pervasive and deadly threat, even with inadequate tools. Ultimately, the DIY AK-74 buckshot rounds, while a testament to battlefield ingenuity, likely provide a false sense of security in the face of the evolving drone warfare landscape.
