In modern drone warfare, speed and direct attack have dominated the discussion. But another category of systems is quietly establishing itself on the battlefield: “waiting drones” (called ждун, or zhdun) — designed to land near a target route and remain inactive until the right moment.
According to Mindaugas Malcius, Product Analyst at RSI Europe, these systems introduce fundamentally different operational logic.
“Traditional FPV drones must be piloted continuously from launch to impact. The operator must find a target quickly, while the drone is already in the air. If the target disappears or circumstances change, the mission may simply fail.”
Waiting drones address that limitation. Instead of racing against time, they are positioned in advance and remain in place until a suitable target appears.
From Improvised Concept to Battlefield Tool
The concept emerged relatively recently. According to Malcius, widespread use began around summer 2025, initially on the Russian side before being adopted by Ukrainian units.
“At the beginning, the modification was simple — the drone was equipped with small landing legs so it could touch down and wait.”
Early versions faced two major constraints: limited battery endurance and vulnerability to electronic warfare. Later iterations addressed both, incorporating fiber-optic control links resistant to radio jamming and specialised control boards that disconnect most onboard electronics during standby.
“Only minimal systems remain active,” Malcius notes. “In theory, such drones could remain in position for up to a week. In practice, operators usually need four to eight hours of waiting capability.”
Tactical Role: Ambush Instead of Pursuit
The core tactical advantage is the inversion of the standard FPV dynamic. Conventional drones chase targets detected in real time; waiting drones arrive first and let the target come to them.
“The problem with standard FPVs is uncertainty. You may reach the location and find the target has already moved or taken cover. A waiting drone allows you to remain in place until the opportunity appears.”
This makes them particularly effective along predictable movement routes. Convoys, logistics vehicles, and command personnel travelling known roads can be engaged the moment they enter the zone — with the operator reactivating the drone at the optimal moment.
In ambush scenarios, multiple drones can be pre-positioned simultaneously. “When the moment comes, the operator can quickly engage the first vehicle in a convoy and the last one — and still have time to engage others.”
A Tool for Specific Missions, Not Mass Use
Despite their advantages, waiting drones have not become universal.
“They are spreading, but not explosively. They are typically used for more specialised missions.”
Compared with standard FPV drones, waiting drones require additional components — landing structures, fiber-optic communication systems, and modified low-power electronics — increasing both complexity and cost. As a result, they tend to be deployed against higher-value targets: command elements, logistics vehicles, and other important assets.
Countering Waiting Drones
As the tactic spreads, countermeasures are evolving rapidly.
Before sending infantry patrols or vehicle columns, reconnaissance drones are used to scan routes for drones positioned in ambush. When detected, several neutralisation options exist.
One is a direct drone counterstrike. “An FPV drone can drop grenades onto waiting drones. If several are clustered together, a single grenade may destroy multiple targets.” Ground patrols offer another option — in some cases, infantry approaches from behind, cuts the fiber-optic cable, and destroys or recovers the drone.
A more recent development takes a different approach entirely. Drones equipped with high-powered laser lighters are now being used to sweep roads ahead of friendly forces. The laser is directed at fiber-optic cables left on the ground by waiting drones — either damaging the cable directly, or penetrating it and travelling along the fiber to burn out the sensitive optical sensors at either end. The result is the same: the waiting drone is incapacitated without ever being physically located or destroyed. The road can then be cleared for passage. The technique is still emerging, but it represents a significant shift in the cat-and-mouse logic of ambush and counter-ambush — rather than hunting waiting drones, it blinds them from a distance.
Operational Efficiency
Waiting drones also reduce operator workload. Continuous FPV piloting is physically and mentally demanding; waiting drones require intervention only when a target appears.
“If you send a drone directly toward a target area, you may encounter prepared defences or miss the opportunity entirely. Waiting drones increase the element of surprise.”
Future Development
The concept continues to evolve. Malcius expects future iterations to incorporate computer vision capable of distinguishing vehicle types, military equipment from civilian objects, and calculating optimal engagement positions.
One emerging concept is the “flying mine” — a drone that carries an explosive charge to a chosen ambush location, positions it for maximum effect, and withdraws. “Using sensors and computer vision, the drone could calculate the optimal placement of the charge — for example, the best position to penetrate armour using a shaped charge.”
Industrial Implications
The underlying technology is not exceptionally complex. Adapting an existing platform — such as Špokas — is relatively straightforward in principle, though fiber-optic control, landing legs, redesigned electronics, and increased battery capacity would all be required.
The central engineering challenge is power management: disabling most onboard systems during standby while maintaining the ability to reactivate quickly on demand.
A Quiet Evolution in Drone Warfare
Waiting drones do not replace conventional FPV systems. They add a distinct tactical option: persistent ambush capability.
“They solve a specific battlefield problem,” Malcius concludes. “The ability to wait until the enemy emerges.”
In an environment where both sides adapt continuously, that capability — and the countermeasures racing to defeat it — will only grow in importance.