More than three years into the war, drones are now the deadliest threat to both Ukrainian and Russian forces. Initially used to target large armored units, drones now focus on small, mobile squads. This leaves individual soldiers exposed and vulnerable.
From cheap commercial quadcopters to fiber-optic tethered UAVs, drones have outpaced many conventional countermeasures. With jammers no longer reliable, Ukraine is turning to a simple but effective idea: let soldiers shoot drones down with their existing rifles.
The ‘Horoshok’: a new round with old ideas
Ukraine’s newest innovation is the Horoshok. Nicknamed “the pea,” it’s a NATO-standard 5.56 mm rifle round designed to split midair into five fast-moving pellets, creating a shotgun-style spread. It can effectively engage drones at distances up to 50 meters (160 feet).
This hybrid round combines the range of a rifle with the spread of a shotgun, allowing soldiers to create an aerial net against fast-moving drones. Developed by Ukraine’s Brave1 defense innovation unit, early footage shows soldiers using it to shoot down drones in real-time.
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One rifle, two missions
Until now, pretty much the only reliable kinetic defense against drones for an individual soldier was the shotgun –– a weapon known for simplicity and stopping power. But carrying two weapons is impractical in mobile infantry operations. With Horoshok rounds, soldiers can simply swap magazines on their primary rifles, switching between drone defense and enemy engagement within seconds.
These new rounds are compatible with any NATO 5.56 rifle, including Ukraine’s commonly used M4 and CZ Bren rifles. However, they cannot be used with suppressors or compensators. Separating pellets could cause dangerous malfunctions inside the barrel.
Why it matters now
Russia’s 2025 summer offensive is heavily reliant on small drones to identify Ukrainian positions before launching ground assaults. These drones are increasingly immune to electronic jamming, making kinetic defenses more important than ever.
By arming front-line troops with Horoshok rounds, Ukraine gives its infantry the ability to fight back immediately, without relying on heavier systems or hoping that jamming works. That capability could buy crucial seconds and lives.
Scaling up production
While the new rounds are already in limited use, Ukraine is preparing to ramp up production, aiming to supply at least one full magazine of Horoshok ammo per soldier. The shift is indicative of Ukraine’s urgent need for scalable, soldier-level countermeasures that don’t require new hardware.
The effort is supported by Ukraine’s broader strategy of integrating innovation quickly into the battlefield — a hallmark of its response to Russia’s larger force.
Changing the drone warfare playbook
Both sides have engaged in a constant cycle of drones versus counter-drone systems, evolving rapidly to outmaneuver each other. Most countermeasures to date have relied on electronic warfare, such as jamming GPS or communication links. But newer drones bypass these tactics with signal-hopping technology or tethered fiber-optic links that are completely jam-resistant.
The Horoshok represents a return to physical defense by offering a direct-fire solution that could sidestep the electronic warfare arms race. As drones become faster and deadlier, stealth will be Russia’s best bet to evade detection. But drones still make noise, cast shadows and leave visual trails if they’re tethered –– more than enough for a trained soldier to react with Horoshok rounds.
The Horoshok rounds may not end the drone war, but they could tip the balance back toward the infantry, giving Ukrainian soldiers a fighting chance against a weapon that’s often seen as unstoppable. If Russia’s drones start falling from the sky, they’ll be forced to adapt once again. That could mean relying more on artillery or risking direct assaults, both of which come with heavy costs.
By combining simple ballistics with modern tactical needs, Ukraine is making it easier for soldiers to defend themselves against drones without changing their loadout or retraining on new weapons. It’s another reminder that in modern warfare, sometimes old ideas in new packaging can make all the difference.
