- A Ukrainian unit is using century-old US guns to target Russian drones and planes.
- Ukraine is running low on missiles, which are far more expensive than drones and ammo.
- One unit is using cheaper M2 Brownings, which were developed in 1918, the last year of World War I.
Ukrainians are putting machine guns first designed in the US at the end of World War I on the back of pickup trucks to try to shoot down Russian drones and spy planes.
Soldiers in Ukraine’s 117th Territorial Defense Brigade are using guns, including the M2 Browning, to try to take down Russia’s Shahed drones, the Kyiv Independent reported.
The M2 was used by American forces in World War II, and is still used by some today, but it was initially developed in 1918, the last year of World War I.
The Kyiv Independent, which visited one Ukrainian unit, reported that they are often the first to confront drones that Russia fires north, toward the cities of Sumy and Kyiv.
Its members monitor the sky, watch their tracking equipment, and drive where needed, eager to shoot down whatever they can.
Russia has been firing drones and missiles at Ukrainian cities and infrastructure since it launched its full-scale invasion, often targeting places far from the front lines.
These attacks have killed civilians, destroyed residential buildings, and damaged Ukraine’s energy network.
Ukraine faces a dilemma when it comes to shooting them down.
Shahed drones are estimated to cost around $20,000 each, but some of the air-defense missiles that Ukraine has in its arsenal have a price tag in the millions.
Ukraine’s supply of air-defense missiles has also been running low after Republicans stalled billions in further aid for six months.
Soldiers often had to make difficult choices about when to use their precious stockpile.
That’s where weapons like the M2 Browning come in.
Its predecessor, the M1917, was designed by American John Browning and first used in 1917, with the M2 coming the following year.
Both Russia and Ukraine have used decades-old equipment and weaponry in the war, sometimes because it is proven to be reliable and sometimes due to shortages of more modern supplies.
The unit’s leader, call sign Dias, described the Browning to the Kyiv Independent as “reliable, user-friendly” and with a higher fire rate.
But he and other soldiers still said they desired more modern weapons: “We’re eager to take down Shaheds. We could cut them with such weapons,” he said.
Dias’ unit is made up of 16 soldiers, who were all civilians before Russia’s invasion, the outlet reported.
Dias, who had combat experience, said he “taught them to shoot and survive” and that they have downed six Shaheds and 12 reconnaissance aircraft.
He described the unit as protecting the city of Sumy, which is close to the border with Russia, and said that his unit works within range of Russian artillery, guided bombs, and first-person-view drones.
Another soldier described the wider region to the Kyiv Independent as “Ukraine’s northern shield.”
He called their group “the last defensive line” for the area.
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