Summary of "Що дають Є-бали, тренд на мінування, удари по логістиці. Бойова робота Lasar's Group"
Interview with Yuri (Call Sign Phoenix) of Lasar’s Group
This video features an in-depth interview with Yuri (call sign Phoenix), the commander of the training group of Lasar’s Group, a Ukrainian military drone unit. The discussion covers the group’s transition from secrecy to public visibility, operational structure, technological development, funding challenges, and tactical approaches in the ongoing conflict.
Why Lasar’s Group Went Public
- Originally a secretive unit, Lasar’s Group became public after ranking first among drone units in early 2023.
- The decision to share information was driven by the need to scale operations, recruit skilled personnel, and secure funding.
- Public awareness helps overcome skepticism and attracts specialists and resources.
Operational Model and Standardization
- The group employs a systematized approach, likened to McDonald’s or Formula 1, emphasizing standardized procedures, equipment, and training.
- Standardization enables rapid scaling and deployment across various front-line sectors with differing combat conditions.
- Drone crews are distributed roughly every 10 km along the front, maintaining continuous drone operations from reconnaissance to strikes.
Drone Types and Roles
Lasar’s Group operates multiple drone types, each serving distinct roles:
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Bombers (Strike Drones): Capable of striking targets up to 35 km with return flights; specialized one-way disposable bombers can reach 65 km.
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FPV Drones: Operate close to the frontline, targeting personnel and logistics.
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Aerial Reconnaissance Drones: Conduct intelligence gathering up to 70 km deep into enemy territory.
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Air Interceptors: Protect drone crews from enemy threats.
The unit develops many drones and components in cooperation with manufacturers, often customizing or improving them based on combat feedback.
Technological Development and Collaboration
- Lasar’s Group maintains close relationships with manufacturers, providing real-time combat feedback to improve drone reliability, communication systems, and payloads.
- Emphasis is placed on modular design for quick repair and adaptation to electronic warfare challenges.
- Starlink satellite communications are widely used for drone control, extending range and reducing costs compared to traditional radio systems.
- Future development priorities include artificial intelligence, autonomy, and improved communication systems.
Intelligence and Reconnaissance
- The group integrates multiple intelligence sources, including aerial and radio reconnaissance, and cooperation with other units.
- Weather conditions, especially in autumn and winter, complicate reconnaissance flights, requiring specialized drones capable of flying at lower altitudes.
- Reconnaissance drones operate up to 70 km deep into enemy territory.
Training and Combat Experience
- Pilots undergo a month-long training program but require continuous practice in combat conditions to maintain and improve skills.
- Instructors actively participate in frontline combat missions alongside trainees to ensure realistic preparation.
- Pilots operate remotely from safe locations but regularly visit frontline positions to equip drones and share combat experience with ground crews.
Funding and Resource Challenges
- The unit currently operates at about 30% of its funding capacity, limiting the number of drones and sorties.
- Systematic, predictable funding is crucial for maintaining production, supply, and operational effectiveness.
- Funding covers drones, logistics, communications (Starlink, EcoFlow), protective gear, and vehicle support.
- The state procures drones as weapons systems via public procurement, with strict reporting and documentation of combat use.
Target Prioritization and Combat Evolution
- Initially, the focus was on destroying enemy tanks and armored vehicles, which were more visible and vulnerable early in the war.
- Over time, enemy equipment became scarcer and more dispersed, shifting priorities to artillery, logistics hubs, air defense systems, and mining operations.
- Mining enemy supply routes has proven effective in disrupting logistics and is a growing operational focus.
- The drone army ranking scoring system prioritizes personnel kills but is adaptable; there is a suggestion to increase points for destroying artillery and logistics to better reflect battlefield impact.
Mining Operations
- Mines are deployed precisely on enemy supply routes using standard drones and specialized suspension systems.
- Mines are designed to self-destruct if not triggered to avoid long-term hazards.
- Mining requires accurate placement and confirmation via reconnaissance, with ongoing monitoring of mined areas.
FPV and Strike Drone Innovations
- FPV drones operate at the frontline to engage personnel and small targets, with fiber optic communication improving reliability over traditional radio.
- Strike drones are evolving with autonomy features like auto-homing and target capture to overcome communication range limits.
- The group is developing new strike drone models but remains cautious about revealing details until further progress.
Community and Industry Interaction
- Lasar’s Group actively participates in drone technology events (e.g., Brave) and collaborates with a broad community of manufacturers and developers.
- They test and integrate new technologies in combat conditions before wider adoption.
- The group balances its own custom tools with commercially available solutions, ensuring reliability and quick deployment.
Misconceptions about the Unit
- Contrary to public perception, pilots and instructors are frontline combatants, not remote operators sitting comfortably far from the battlefield.
- They regularly operate under fire, equip drones in dugouts, and share firsthand combat experience to maintain combat readiness.
Presenters and Contributors
- Yuri (call sign Phoenix): Commander of the training group of Lasar’s Group, main interviewee.
- Interviewer/Host: Unnamed in transcript.
- Pavel Elizarov: Referenced for comments on drone funding and system development.
- Mr. Fish: Public speaker for Lasar’s Group, involved in early formation and public outreach.
This interview provides a comprehensive overview of Lasar’s Group’s operational philosophy, technological innovation, and the challenges of sustaining effective drone warfare under resource constraints. It highlights the importance of systematization, collaboration with manufacturers, and adaptive tactics to maintain combat effectiveness on the Ukrainian front.
Category
News and Commentary
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