'Code 9.2': Inside the Covert Ukrainian Drone Team Deploying Mines in Russia

As dusk falls, there is a rush to hide before it gets dark.

The “Code 9.2” drone unit, part of the 92nd assault brigade, is relocating to a new launch site for a special mission: flying drones into Russia to drop mines on crucial roads in enemy territory.

As twilight approaches, the team seizes the opportunity to prepare their new equipment and unload their Humvee before darkness falls. This window of time is crucial as once night descends, these tasks become much more challenging. They can only hope that the fading light of dusk will provide some cover from the constant surveillance of Russian drones flying overhead, searching for targets.

In a swift and coordinated effort, a Starlink dish, a long-range drone antenna, numerous battery packs, and two large "Vampire" quadcopters are swiftly unloaded and set up in trenches and bunkers. Within just 30 minutes, everything is ready to be put into action. However, it is only after the darkness has fully enveloped them that they can truly begin their work.

And right away, the danger is clear. Just as operators Andrey and Artem are about to leave the bunker to start their work, a sudden noise makes them quickly retreat back inside for safety.

“Shhh,” Andrey whispers. “Orlan.” The only way to avoid being detected by an Orlan – a surveillance drone equipped with thermal cameras for night vision – is to find a hiding spot. They must stay quiet and wait for it to move on. “They'll be out all night,” he explains.

Flashes of distant explosions light up the horizon, with the Russian city of Belgorod twinkling in the center. Ukrainian strikes have been targeting Belgorod, which is part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's offensive into the Kharkiv region. Putin claims that the offensive aims to create a buffer zone along the border to protect the population, despite launching the invasion in February 2022 without any concerns for their safety.

The bunker is quickly transformed into an operations hub, as the team struggles to adapt to the quiet open fields of their new surroundings after months of intense battles in Bakhmut.

It is only when the dark has set in that the work of Ukrainian drone unit 'Code 9.2' can begin.

It is only when the dark has set in that the work of Ukrainian drone unit 'Code 9.2' can begin.

Artem breaks the silence by mentioning the uncertainty of whether they will be hit or not. He contrasts the situation with Ukraine's unsuccessful defense of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region last year. Tonight, they are working just four miles away from the border. The dense vegetation, absence of clear front lines, and close proximity to Russia allow reconnaissance groups to infiltrate easily. They even jest about waking up to find a Russian soldier nearby.

Artem's fight is deeply personal because his parents still live in a village that was partially destroyed, just a short drive away. For 18 months, he lied to them, pretending he was stationed at a peaceful checkpoint when he was actually fighting on the front lines. Now that they know he is nearby, the pressure of fighting for his actual home weighs heavily on him.

He describes his main feeling as "anxiety." Knowing his parents are close by, he feels a huge responsibility. If something were to go wrong, if there was a breakthrough, the thought of failing in front of his parents is unsettling.

The night falls, with only occasional flashes of artillery lighting up the darkness. The team quickly get to work. Artem and Andrey hurry to attach the mines to the drone, using only red lights. Suddenly, a faint whining sound catches their attention.

"Let's go," Andrey whispers, leading them to seek shelter in a nearby bunker. Once they are spotted, the enemy could target the trenches with airstrikes and artillery throughout the night. With no vehicle and the danger of crossing open ground on foot, their chances of escaping are slim.

After a few minutes, flares light up a nearby field while battles continue elsewhere. The team gets back to work, preparing zip ties for fuses and using masking tape for explosives. Suddenly, another drone flies close by, and they quickly scramble for shelter.

Twilight provides a moment of opportunity for the unit to set up new equipment and unload their Humvee before dark makes these complex tasks impossible.

Twilight provides a moment of opportunity for the unit to set up new equipment and unload their Humvee before dark makes these complex tasks impossible.

Brice Lainé/CNN

After being interrupted twice and feeling a bit out of breath from rushing to find cover, the team is now prepared to begin. In the bunker, pilot Sasha observes the fields passing beneath the Vampire on the night vision camera. He indicates the border line and remarks, "We have entered Russia."

Artem jokingly asks Sasha if he brought his passport. Sasha replies that he can go without a visa.

Before the war, being funny was the responsibility of the third team member. Andrey, a comic, used to work with Volodymyr Zelensky on his comedy show before Zelensky became a politician and eventually the president of Ukraine. Andrey recalls that Zelensky had one of the best vibes among the people he had met.

“The strongest energy. It is always interesting with him. We spent a lot of time together, one on one.”

The owner of the printing house "GUROV I K," Dmytro Gurov, shows the damage caused by a Russian missile. He says there are about a million dollars in damages, but he has decided to restore the business.

The owner of "GUROV I K" printing house, Dmytro Gurov, points out the damage from a Russian missile. He mentions around a million dollars in damages, but he is determined to rebuild the business.

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As the drone flies further into Russia, warning messages blare loudly in the bunker on repeat, indicating that GPS jammers are in use. Sasha briefly worries about losing the drone, and the livestream suddenly cuts out. He anxiously adjusts the controls.

Minutes later, the signal is restored, and the drone successfully flies through the interference to reach its target. Two packages are dropped from its underbelly, containing mines that are placed on the road. The following day, the unit reports that one armored car and a soft skin vehicle were hit by the mines.

As the drone approaches, the team faces two challenges. Firstly, the GPS system malfunctions, causing the drone to crash into a field upside down. Secondly, they spot a Russian Orlan drone that seems to have followed them back into Ukraine, potentially identifying their launch position. Seeking safety, the team takes shelter as shells whistle overhead and land in nearby fields. They retrieve the damaged drone and rely on a spare until daylight, when they can assess the extent of the damage.

The team continues their sorties, proudly claiming to have set a new record for the most Vampire flights in a single night - 24. Their current mission is aimed at Russia, symbolizing Kyiv's determination to confront Moscow head-on. This marks a new and potentially hazardous phase in the conflict, now in its third year.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a glimpse into the perilous operations of the Ukrainian drone unit "Code 9.2." It highlights the constant danger they face