Anti-drone rounds Horoshok cleared for use by Ukraine’s Defence Forces: trials footage

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has announced that it has authorised counter-drone ammunition from several manufacturers for use by the Ukrainian Defence Forces. Among them are the Horoshok rounds in standard calibres 5.56×45 mm and 5.45×39 mm, capable of striking enemy drones at distances of up to 50 and 60 metres respectively.

The Ministry of Defence reports that the Horoshok rounds are equipped with a specialised warhead that increases the likelihood of hitting targets. According to the ministry, the manufacturer plans to ramp up deliveries of these rounds to 400,000 units per month.

Horoshok can be loaded into standard magazines of regular automatic rifles, allowing service personnel to use them against UAVs immediately, without switching weapons or relying on additional equipment. The 5.56 mm version is compatible with NATO-standard rifles, including modular assault rifles such as the CZ Bren and automatic rifles such as the M4.

The only restriction is that the weapon must not be fitted with a suppressor or flash hider.

The Horoshok rounds were first mentioned in June 2025, when several commentators noted their higher muzzle velocity compared with smoothbore rounds. It was also reported that each round contains only four to five striking elements, meaning that one or two shots are not enough to guarantee a hit on a drone.