Ukrainian FPV-drones hit Russian minelayers

The Ukrainian military has showcased the use of FPV drones to defeat Russian minelayers on the basis of the ZIL-131V truck.

Universal minelayer (UMZ – Rus., ed.) is designed for remote creation of anti-tank, anti-personnel and mixed minefields.

Such systems are used by the Russian invaders in order to slow down the counteroffensive actions of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

A video of the defeat of UMZ on the basis of the ZIL-131V truck was published in the Telegram channel of the school of drone operators “Escadrone”.

According to the video, the minelayer was attacked at different times by several different kamikaze drones. On the hood of the vehicle, the symbol “V” is painted in white.

Presumably, the enemy equipment has been hit in the Zaporizhzhia region, where Ukrainian forces are conducting offensive operations to liberate the territory temporarily occupied by Russians.

It should be noted that it is likely to be the first confirmed strike by the Defense Forces of Ukraine against such type of Russian military equipment.

Another video of the combat work of the Ukrainian military on the similar vehicle was previously shown by blogger and volunteer Serhii Sternenko.

The video captured the combat work of the National Guard “Omega West” special unit operator. To defeat the Russian minelayer, an FPV-drone was used. However, it is unknown how much damage UMZ sustained.

Another video, but already of the destruction of a universal minelayer based on ZIL-131V, was published on Twitter.

The video portrays the hull of the vehicle being on fire, where the rotary devices for spreading the mine are located. Therefore, it can be assumed that the Russian UMZ had suffered significant damage and was disabled.

It must be a different vehicle, because on the published drone footage the “V” symbol is missing from the hood of the system.

Universal minelayer UMZ

Universal minelayer (UMZ) is one of the systems of remote creation of anti-tank and anti-personnel minefields, using universal mine cassettes. The mines are deployed on the surface of the soil.

The basic chassis of the minelayer is a modified ZIL-131V truck, in the hull of which six cluster units and launch control systems are located on rotary devices. The control panel is located in the cabin. Cassette blocks can independently rotate 360 degrees along the horizon in fixed directions. Rotation of blocks and change of inclination angle depending on selected mining scheme are performed manually before start.

A total of up to 30 cassettes can be installed in each cassette unit. One full charge of the minelayer is about 180 cassettes.