Ukrainian soldiers target Russian drones with rifles

In late December 2025, Ukrainian soldiers were filmed targeting and shooting down Russian drones with rifles near Kostiantynivka, a village in the Donetsk region. The video, released by the Ukrainian military, shows the soldiers engaging the small unmanned aerial vehicles. The Donetsk region has been the site of intense fighting, with Russian forces making incremental advances. On December 29th, 2025, Russian forces claimed to have captured Dibrova, a location near Kostiantynivka. The Ukrainian military's actions suggest an effort to counter Russian aerial surveillance and reconnaissance in the area.