Russian Army to Field New AK-Standard Ammunition for Counter-FPV Drone Combat.

Rostec says Russian forces will soon receive new rifle-calibre ammunition, known as Mnogotochie, designed to counter small unmanned aerial systems using standard Kalashnikov assault rifles. The development underscores how frontline units are adapting to the persistent threat posed by low-flying FPV drones in the Ukraine conflict.

Russia’s state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec announced on January 22 that units of the Russian Armed Forces will soon be equipped with a new type of rifle-calibre ammunition intended to engage small unmanned aerial systems at close range. The munition, developed under Rostec’s High Precision Systems holding company and designated Mnogotochie, is designed for use with standard Kalashnikov assault rifles, giving ordinary infantry units an organic and , immediately available option for responding to FPV strike and reconnaissance drones operating at low altitude.
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Test footage shows Mnogotochie ammunition engaging a drone with a standard AK rifle. (Picture source: TASS)

According to the press release published on Rostec’s official website, specialists from High Precision Systems have completed the development cycle of the new ammunition, including testing and preparation for serial production. The cartridges are explicitly designed to be compatible with standard service weapons, notably the AK family, allowing rapid fielding without requiring weapon modifications, additional attachments, or changes to existing training practices. This compatibility is presented as a central requirement, given the operational tempo and logistical constraints faced by Russian units deployed in what Moscow describes as the special military operation zone.

The Mnogotochie family consists of two variants: the 5.45×39 mm SC 226 and the 7.62×54 mm SC 228. Both cartridges use the same cartridge case and propellant powder as standard ammunition, a choice intended to simplify serial production across existing ammunition manufacturing facilities. The defining feature lies in the projectile itself. Each round contains a three element bullet that separates in flight after leaving the barrel, creating a limited dispersion pattern designed to increase the probability of striking small, fast moving aerial targets.

Rostec claims that, based on stated characteristics confirmed during field testing, the new ammunition increases effectiveness against maneuvering drones by a factor of 2.5 compared to standard AK bullets. The effective engagement range is cited as up to 300 meters, a figure that places the cartridge well beyond the practical envelope of shotgun based solutions currently used by many frontline units. While such performance metrics are inherently difficult to quantify under combat conditions, they underline the intended role of the ammunition as a mid range counter drone option rather than a point defense tool.

Bekkhan Ozdoev, Industrial Director of the Armament Cluster at Rostec State Corporation, states that the Mnogotochie cartridges have already undergone trial operation in the special military operation zone and have demonstrated strong performance against small and highly maneuverable air targets. This confirms that limited operational use has already taken place in Ukraine prior to the public announcement, although no details are provided regarding unit allocation or production volumes.

The concept itself builds on earlier Russian efforts. As early as March of the previous year, fragmenting rifle cartridges for 5.45×39 mm Kalashnikov rifles were reportedly tested in the combat zone, with an effective range limited to around 100 meters. Those earlier designs, developed by JSC NPP, represented an initial attempt to adapt rifle ammunition to the drone threat. Rostec’s new cartridge significantly extends this engagement envelope, effectively tripling the range and offering greater flexibility to infantry units facing fast approaching FPV drones.

The absence of required modifications is a key factor. Mnogotochie can be fired from standard AK rifles, including modern variants such as the AK-12, with suppressors remaining in place. In practical terms, this allows soldiers to carry the new ammunition in a dedicated magazine that can be rapidly swapped when a drone threat is detected, eliminating the need to carry a shotgun and separate ammunition load. This reduces individual burden while preserving the soldier’s primary weapon configuration.

Video footage circulating on Russian media and social platforms illustrates a live fire test conducted at a range, during which a soldier reportedly shoots down a drone using an AK-12K from approximately 65 meters with a single shot. The test subject expresses clear satisfaction with the result, describing the munition as easing the burden of counter drone engagement at the individual level. While such demonstrations remain anecdotal, they contribute to the narrative of immediate battlefield relevance promoted by Rostec.

At a broader level, the introduction of Mnogotochie highlights a continuing shift in modern ground combat, where air defense responsibilities increasingly extend down to the level of the individual soldier. As small drones proliferate and become more resilient, armies are forced to layer kinetic, electronic, and procedural countermeasures within infantry units themselves. Russia’s approach mirrors parallel efforts observed in Western armed forces and industry, suggesting that future conflicts will normalize the presence of low altitude aerial threats and require constant adaptation of small arms, doctrine, and training. In this environment, even incremental improvements in engagement range and hit probability can influence tactical outcomes, while underscoring the growing convergence between infantry combat and close range air defense.