As Russia tries to push forward on the battlefield and President Vladimir Putin resists any talk of a ceasefire, Ukraine has unleashed another unconventional but highly effective counterattack. This time, Kyiv claims to have destroyed two key Russian bridges—using nothing more than cheap, first-person-view (FPV) drones and precise intelligence.

Bridges loaded with mines and ammunition
According to Ukrainian forces, Russia had stocked anti-tank mines and weapons under the bridges to secure its supply lines. Ordinary drones failed to work in the area due to signal jamming, so Ukraine deployed fiber-optic–controlled FPV drones.

Video footage shows one drone striking the ammunition cache beneath the first bridge, triggering a massive blast. After confirming similar stockpiles under a second bridge, Ukrainian soldiers launched another drone, leading to a second explosion. CNN has verified the location of the attack.

High impact, low cost
What makes this strike remarkable is its cost-effectiveness. Each drone reportedly cost only $600–$725 (roughly ₹52,000–₹63,800). In contrast, destroying a bridge typically requires expensive precision weapons like HIMARS missiles—each system costing tens of millions of dollars, with individual rockets running into millions.

Last year, Ukraine used HIMARS to take down a Russian bridge, but those systems were supplied at enormous expense by Germany. By comparison, the FPV drone operation achieved the same result at a fraction of the cost, showing how low-tech innovations can rival advanced weaponry.

Smart warfare strategy
Ukraine’s ability to combine affordable drones with real-time intelligence has once again demonstrated how “cheap but smart” warfare can shift momentum. For Russia, the destruction of these supply bridges is a fresh logistical blow at a crucial stage in the conflict.