Leleka UAV Strengthens Ukrainian Reconnaissance, Inflicts Enemy Losses

Ukrinform Correspondents Observe the Work of a Reconnaissance Crew from the 129th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade in Kharkiv Oblast

Despite rapidly changing weather conditions, aerial reconnaissance operators of the 129th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue tracking enemy activity. One of the crews demonstrated how they operate the Leleka aerial reconnaissance UAV system. The terrain, the Ukrainian UAV, and the pilots’ skill are the focus of this Ukrinform report.

Bodryi’s Crew in Search of the Enemy

We depart from Kharkiv late at night, escorted by military personnel, heading in a direction that cannot be disclosed for security reasons. Some roads are already covered with anti-drone netting. For the most part, we move along field roads. Upon reaching the designated point, four reconnaissance soldiers unload very quickly. The crates contain the Leleka system itself, various pieces of equipment, a charging station, and some supplies for the crew—considerable cargo required for every deployment.

It is still dark outside, and we—civilian observers—are disoriented in unfamiliar terrain. Carrying their gear, the soldiers disappear into the darkness, toward a concealed shelter they have prepared. When they return, they camouflage the vehicles. It is evident that the crew operates methodically and without unnecessary conversation. The reconnaissance personnel install and camouflage the antenna, assemble the UAV, and cover it with netting as well.

Soon a command is given: “Takeoff.” Preliminary information has been received about possible enemy movement. The crew launches the “bird” in the required direction.

Inside the shelter, while monitoring and controlling the flight, we are able to briefly speak with the pilots. Two of them have been at the front since the start of the full-scale invasion, while the other two were mobilized in 2025.

Prior to their deployment to Kharkiv Oblast, the brigade took part in operations in the Kursk direction. As a result, the servicemen now compare the local terrain there and in Sumy Oblast with that of Kharkiv Oblast.

Oleksandr “Bodryi”

“It’s similar, but there are also local specifics. Within a few days we familiarized ourselves with the terrain for flights. Aerial reconnaissance now plays one of the key roles. Strikes are important, of course, but first the enemy has to be detected. We adjust not only artillery fire but also the work of FPV pilots,” says Oleksandr, 46, call sign Bodryi.

He received this call sign at the very beginning of the all-out war.

“The guys gave it to me because I was always the first to get everyone up in the morning,” Oleksandr says with a smile.

He has been at the front since March 2022. Initially, he served with the 117th Sumy Brigade and later transferred to the 129th.

“I wanted to be a pilot. I started with Mavics, taught myself to fly FPV drones, and later was sent to formal training courses to operate fixed-wing UAVs.”

Oleh, call sign "Sheva"

Bodryi’s comrade is Oleh “Sheva”. According to the crew, both men spent a long time serving in infantry units and now work together in aerial reconnaissance.

“I operate the payload—that is, the camera,” Oleh explains his role within the crew. “My job is to observe and orient myself using maps. Kharkiv Oblast has its own specifics. There are many ravines and small forested areas—and many of them look very similar. No matter how much we fly, there’s always a chance of drifting… just slightly off course.”

“FOREST CREATURES” AND A “FROZEN BIRD”

Oleh is originally from Kryvyi Rih. By education, he is a software engineer, although he did not work in his field.

“At a certain point, I switched to another line of work, which I later regretted,” Sheva says. “I worked in retail.”

The Leleka flight continues. To enable rapid orientation, the reconnaissance operators assign informal names to certain landmarks based on their outlines. A small forested area, for example, might “become” an animal—such as a “giraffe.” In this way, observers at the monitor can prompt the pilot and help him quickly determine his exact location.

“The most difficult part is landing the aircraft. Launching it is easier, although that also has its own nuances,” Sheva says.

The reconnaissance operators unanimously emphasize how important it is for a crew to work as a cohesive team. And watching the pilots at work, it becomes clear that they have achieved that level of coordination.

Yurii, call sign Pliushch

“I was mobilized on May 13 this year. I was fortunate to be assigned to the 129th Brigade, to the reconnaissance company—one could say by chance. The team is friendly, with no internal conflicts,” says Yurii “Pliushch”. “Working with computers is not difficult for me, and I was taught everything necessary to operate UAVs here. The work schedule depends on weather conditions and current tasks—they can call us in at any time. But there is a strong sense of moral uplift when you know you are contributing to the defeat of the enemy.”

Like Sheva, he is originally from Kryvyi Rih.

“I worked for more than 20 years at a coal mine, as a mining foreman and mid-level manager. Compared to my salary at the mine, I earn significantly more in the military,” Pliushch adds.

Suddenly, our Leleka begins to lose altitude. It is possible that the drone was hit by enemy fire. Its speed drops sharply, and it cannot regain momentum. Oleksandr—the most experienced member of the group—takes over the controls. He manages to turn the aircraft around and guide it “home.” Everyone steps outside: the “bird” is already visible on the horizon, and moments later Oleksandr skillfully catches the UAV.

The reconnaissance personnel explain that there was no damage—the “bird” simply became cold. Our deployment is taking place at –8°C. A thin layer of ice formed on the UAV’s wings, and the camera lens also began to ice over.

“Leleka can operate even at minus 30 degrees, but there is a certain altitude where moisture accumulates and icing begins,” Oleh explains. “If we climb higher, we pass through that layer—but from that altitude we would not see anything anyway because of the cloud cover. Below the clouds, the operating altitude is not very high. This time, we were genuinely fortunate to bring the aircraft back safely. That is a credit both to the design of the system—how it is built and how its automation works—and, of course, to the pilot, who did everything necessary.”

Of course, the soldiers say, they have had to lose “wings” before: two of their aircraft were shot down by the enemy.

It is time to leave the reconnaissance team. Dawn is breaking. We should already be on our way when an alert is announced—an enemy fiber-optic-controlled drone has been detected nearby. We run to the shelter. Later, with permission from the military, we emerge. The sun is already rising above the horizon.

“We’re holding on. Everything will be Ukraine,” Bodryi says in farewell.

For your information

The Leleka-100 is a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle designed for reconnaissance missions. It was developed by the Ukrainian company DeViRo and was adopted into service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine in May 2021.

The system is capable of adjusting artillery fire at distances of up to 50 kilometers.

Its maximum flight altitude is 1,500 meters; maximum speed is 120 km/h; cruising speed is 60–70 km/h; endurance is up to four hours; operating temperature range is from –20°C to +40°C. The UAV weighs up to 5 kilograms.

The Leleka UAV is catapult- launched and relies on a parachute to safely land.

Yuliia Bairachna, Kharkiv

Viacheslav Madiievskyi photos