The Russian Navy has launched its first “UAV Control Center” to manage its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Kamchatka.
According to Defense Express, citing Russian media, the center will be a key hub in a planned network for operating reconnaissance and strike drones such as the Forpost and Orion (formerly Inokhodets).
These drones will reportedly conduct round-the-clock monitoring along the Northern Sea Route and bolster protection for Russia’s strategic nuclear submarine base.
The facility will collect, process, and analyze intelligence gathered during drone missions, Defense Express reported. Russian sources say the center will “increase the effectiveness” of drone operations and ensure continuous surveillance of vital northern areas – particularly for the security of nuclear submarines and their unimpeded access to the ocean.
The launch comes as the US has deployed two Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarines near Russia’s borders, following recent threats from Russian officials.
Notably, in early July, Kamchatka regional authorities began restricting mobile internet access, Governor Vladimir Solodov announced.
“Our task is to prevent and make it impossible to carry out sabotage in the Kamchatka Territory. In this regard, we have implemented new regulations, including restrictions on navigation in Avacha Bay, internet use, and geo-positioning,” Solodov said.
The regional government called the temporary disruptions a necessary measure to protect residents, citing the presence of strategically important facilities in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Vilyuchinsk – the latter housing the Russian Pacific Fleet’s nuclear submarine base.
Similar mobile internet restrictions were recently introduced in Primorsky Krai.
However, both Kamchatka and Primorsky Krai are located 8,000-9,000 kilometers (4,971-5,592 miles) from Ukraine’s border, far beyond the reach of Ukrainian drone strikes launched from Ukraine – just like most Russian regions east of the Volga.
Ukraine downed rare Russian Forpost-R and Orion drones with anti-aircraft UAVs
In late April, Ukrainian forces shot down a rare Russian “Forpost-R” drone at an altitude of 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) using an anti-aircraft drone.
The strike was carried out by the 414th Separate Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces, known as the “Birds of Madyar,” which released footage showing their drone hitting the tail of the Russian UAV.
The Ukrainian military outlet Militarniy described the Forpost-R as a full-fledged strike and reconnaissance drone, based on Israel’s Searcher II, with a 9-meter (30-foot) wingspan, 6-meter (20-foot) length, and a takeoff weight of about 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) – far larger than the common Orlan-10, which weighs only 18 kilograms (40 pounds).
“This is the first public case of an anti-aircraft drone intercepting such a large target,” Militarniy reported.
In late July, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) released video of another rare intercept – a Ukrainian first-person-view (FPV) anti-aircraft drone downing a Russian Orion strike and reconnaissance UAV, known for carrying a variety of aerial bombs.
Defense Express noted the footage shows: “at least the first time this UAV has been caught on video being brought down by an anti-aircraft drone,” calling it “the first time such a truly ‘fat’ target has ever been hunted down this way.”
The Orion, developed by Russia’s Kronstadt company using Israeli technology, carries guided bombs including the KAB-20, KAB-50, UPAB-50, and FAB-50. Aviation expert Anatoly Khrapchinsky said many of its components are foreign-sourced, often obtained through third countries like Kazakhstan.
The Orion can fly for up to 24 hours at altitudes of 7.5 kilometers (25,000 feet) with a payload of 200 kilograms (440 pounds), performing both surveillance and strike missions with real-time battlefield intelligence.