Захист від дронів та протидія їхньому застосуванню на полі бою (російсько-український воєнний конфлікт)

The use of drones by opposing sides in the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict has transformed armed combat and brought to the fore the issue of protecting troops (forces) from drones operating en masse in the air, on land, and at sea, particularly in a comprehensive manner, as well as the issue of countering them. The widespread use of drones for various purposes is forcing each of the warring parties to quickly seek and invent new approaches not only in the tactics of using their units on the battlefield, but also to use known and invent new ways and means of countering drones, protecting weapons, military equipment, and manpower, which necessitates the identification and updating of such methods. Based on publicly available sources, this article examines the issue of protecting troops (forces) from air, ground, surface, and underwater drones and countering such drones during combat operations, using the experience gained from the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict. Methods and means of protecting troops (forces) from drones, detecting and destroying drones, and countering the use of drones have been updated. It is noted that the development of drone technologies in high-tech warfare goes hand in hand with the development of ways to combat them. Further research should be conducted in the following relevant areas: the use of an interdisciplinary approach to predict the direction of technological development, determining the prospects for the creation of new weapons and military equipment by a potential adversary in order to respond in a timely manner by devising possible ways and means of protecting troops (forces) from them, as well as ways and means of countering their use.