Russia develops 'Matryoshka' multi-part ammunition to target small drones

The Russian military is testing a specialized 5.45mm cartridge designed to counter small unmanned aerial vehicles using standard AK-12 rifles. Dubbed the 'Matryoshka' bullet, the ammunition is engineered to separate into multiple projectiles during flight, increasing the probability of hitting critical drone components like batteries and electronic boards. Military expert Yury Knutov suggests that this design allows infantry to engage aerial threats without needing specialized anti-drone weaponry. While the ammunition shows promise in controlled testing, analysts note that its effectiveness against personnel is limited due to body armor, and its performance in actual combat conditions remains unproven. As drone warfare evolves in the ongoing conflict, this development represents an attempt to provide soldiers with versatile, low-cost countermeasures. However, independent verification is still required to determine if the multi-part projectile offers a genuine tactical advantage on the battlefield.