Ukraine has destroyed two bridges in Russia’s Belgorod region in a brazen attack which showed just how effective inexpensive, first-person-view (FPV) drones are becoming on the modern battlefield. Conducted by the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, the strikes targeted caches of Russian mines and ammunition under the bridges near the border with Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.

The Bridges Were Resupply Routes

As the brigade said in a statement, the two bridges served as supply routes for Russian forces near the frontline. The Russian military had mined the bridges, too, ready to blow them up if the Ukrainians advanced unexpectedly.

Of course, Ukraine did exactly that last year when Russia launched a full-scale invasion. In February 2022, it destroyed several bridges on roads leading toward Kyiv, forcing Moscow to abandon plans for a lightning victory. Ukraine is now said to have used the same tactic to impede the Russians in their own territory.

Suspicions Lead to Discovery

The 58th Brigade said it had gotten suspicious after observing “some activity” at one of the bridges. Unable to send standard reconnaissance drones under the structure without losing connection, it opted to send a specially-modified FPV drone equipped with fiber optics instead.

“What we saw from there, it became clear that something was going on there,” a representative of the brigade said in a statement to CNN. Under the bridge, the drone’s operators discovered a cache of anti-tank mines and ammunition. “We saw the mines, and we struck,” the brigade representative added.

A Strike Worth Every Hryvnia

Footage released by the brigade appears to show the drone spotting the munitions and then detonating in an enormous explosion. A second camera set up nearby shows the blast from afar. CNN geolocated the bridge to Russia’s Belgorod region, right next to Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.

The unit checked a second bridge nearby and discovered that one was also mined. The brigade sent a second drone, which also triggered an explosion. “We saw an opportunity and took it,” the brigade wrote on Telegram.

The price paid for the drones was notable, too. Each one cost between 25,000 and 30,000 Ukrainian hryvnias, or between $600 and $725. To put this in context, destroying such bridges deep inside enemy territory normally requires precision bombs or guided missiles.

Ukraine Has Struck Targets in Kursk With HIMARS

Ukraine has, in the past, targeted bridges and other infrastructure in Russia’s Kursk region with U.S.-supplied HIMARS precision rockets. A HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) launcher can cost millions of dollars, while individual rockets can run into the tens of thousands. For comparison, a drone capable of carrying out the Belgorod attacks costs less than a smartphone.

Experts have noted the rising importance of FPV drones in the conflict. “These types of operations show how even modest technology can achieve outsized results when used creatively,” military analyst Mykola Bielieskov said in a statement. While Ukraine will continue to rely on Western weapons where it can, it is increasingly turning to innovative solutions it can make on its own.

Attacks on Bridges a Victory for Ukraine

As battles continue to rage along the frontlines, Ukraine has had its successes. Russian forces have struggled to make significant gains in recent weeks as Moscow faces a manpower shortage. At the same time, Ukraine has come under near-daily missile and drone attacks on its cities as Russian President Vladimir Putin has pushed his generals to attack, even at the cost of more damage at home.

Ukraine has seen victories against the Russian drones, too, destroying a significant number in air-to-air battles in June. Yet Russia also enjoys numerical superiority and a massive weapons stockpile, making it important for Ukraine to find a way around these advantages.

Success With FPV Drones

Innovation, and specifically the ad-hoc, grassroots development of FPV drones, has become a central part of Ukraine’s strategy. In many cases, the drones are cobbled together with commercial drone parts and modified by amateur enthusiasts and volunteers. In June, Ukraine began modifying commercial drones to conduct attacks, too.

“It is important to note that these drones are different from other UAVs,” the 58th Brigade representative said. “Their value cannot be overestimated. They allow us to achieve what we cannot do with the weapons we have.”

The ability to develop innovative drone capabilities and then strike creatively, deep inside Russia will be important for Kyiv’s war effort going forward. But for now, the two destroyed bridges in Belgorod will remain as a reminder that even cheap weapons can be used with strategic effect.