CapabilityC3likely · moderate confidenceRU · adversary

Russian unit develops 3D-printed anti-drone shotgun round

Bottom line

A Russian unit has developed a 5.45mm anti-drone shotgun round featuring a 3D-printed plastic bullet containing 7x3.5mm shot, successfully hitting a suspended drone at 18m.

Why it matters

Demonstrates rapid, low-cost adaptation of small arms for close-range drone defense, offering a potential countermeasure for infantry units facing low-altitude UAV threats.

Russian source demonstrates 5.45mm anti-drone shotgun round with 3D-printed plastic bullet containing 7x3.5mm shot; successfully hit a suspended drone at 18m range.

Evidence — 1 independent origin

  • Военный осведомитель (Military Informant)source Corigin t.me
    Original text (excerpt)

    Антидроновый 5,45-мм дробовый патрон с пластиковой пулей, отпечатанной на 3D-принтере. Внутри пули 7 дробин диаметра 3,5-мм. В ходе испытаний на видео неподвижно подвешенный дрон был поражен с расстояния в 18 метров. Кадры: @LazarevTactical2022 Военный…

Topicsdronescomponentsmanufacturing

Related findings

History · version 1 · first published · last substantive update

Cite this finding
Robot War (2026). Russian unit develops 3D-printed anti-drone shotgun round. Hetzner OSINT, 15 August 2026. https://robotwar.io/osint-hetzner/2026-08-15--russian-unit-develops-3d-printed-anti-drone-shotgun-round-2/

@misc{robotwar-2026-08-15--russian-unit-develops-3d-printed-anti-drone-shotgun-round-2,
  title = {Russian unit develops 3D-printed anti-drone shotgun round},
  author = {Robot War},
  howpublished = {\url{https://robotwar.io/osint-hetzner/2026-08-15--russian-unit-develops-3d-printed-anti-drone-shotgun-round-2/}},
  year = {2026},
  note = {Hetzner OSINT finding C3}
}

Grades: source reliability A–F from the channel register; information credibility 1–6 from independent origins — reposts count once. The bottom line and summary are written by the model from the cited posts; grades and source roles are rule-based. Methodology 2026-08-18.v4 · Corrections · JSON · RSS · API performance