As drones continue to reshape modern warfare, Russia has begun supplying its armed forces with a new type of rifle ammunition designed specifically to improve the chances of shooting down unmanned aerial vehicles. Called Mnogotochie, the ammunition uses a bullet that splits into three projectiles shortly after leaving the barrel, creating a wider engagement pattern against fast-moving drones.Developed by Vysokotochka, a subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned defence conglomerate Rostec, the ammunition has entered serial production and the first batch has already been delivered to Russian troops, according to the company. The rounds are intended for counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) operations and are compatible with standard Russian small arms without requiring any modifications.The ammunition is currently available in 5.45×39 mm and 7.62×54 mm calibres, allowing it to be fired from standard Russian assault rifles and machine guns. Rostec says the rounds have an effective engagement range of up to 300 metres (984 feet) against drones.
How the bullet works
Unlike conventional ammunition, the Mnogotochie cartridge contains a specially designed projectile made up of three separate elements. After the bullet exits the barrel, its nose separates into three projectiles that spread in a controlled pattern while continuing toward the target.According to Rostec, the design increases the probability of hitting small aerial targets by allowing a single shot to cover a wider area.The company says the cartridges use standard cartridge cases and standard propellant powder, enabling existing ammunition production lines to manufacture them without additional changes.“They use standard cartridge cases and gunpowder, which does not place additional strain on the production line,” Russia’s defence corporation Rostec said while describing the ammunition.Rostec has also said that the ammunition does not alter the performance characteristics of existing small arms. According to the company, soldiers do not need to modify their rifles or install additional attachments before using the cartridges, and the ammunition can also be fired with suppressors attached.
Rostec says ammunition has entered production
Russian officials say the ammunition has completed testing and entered full-scale production.According to Rostec, Russian troops have already received the first batch of Mnogotochie cartridges.State news agency TASS reported that the STs 226 cartridge in 5.45×39 mm calibre and the STs 228 cartridge in 7.62×54 mm calibre both contain a three-element projectile that separates in flight while maintaining stable dispersion.The company demonstrated the ammunition through its promotional #NashKrash video series.Footage released by Vysokotochka shows the 5.45 mm version bringing down a drone hovering about 10 metres (33 feet) above the ground from a distance of approximately 100 metres (328 feet) after four shots. The demonstration has not been independently verified.
Rostec says bullet increases hit probability
Earlier, Bekkhan Ozdoyev, Industrial Director of Rostec’s Armament Cluster, said the cartridges were developed specifically to improve the effectiveness of small arms against drones.According to Rostec, the Mnogotochie cartridges for rifled automatic weapons provide “an effective option for combating drones.”The company says the special projectile creates “high-density fire”, increasing the chances of striking small UAVs compared with conventional ammunition.“This means that shooting down a small drone with three bullets at once is much easier than with one,” Rostec said while explaining the concept behind the ammunition.
Similar concepts already exist
Military analysts say the concept itself is not entirely new.Aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi told RBC-Ukraine that Czech firearms manufacturer Colt CZ had previously demonstrated similar technology.He also said Ukrainian forces use ammunition based on a comparable principle that produces what he described as a “shrapnel cloud” effect.“If we say that this is generally the right technology, then in any case a soldier should have a magazine loaded with such rounds,” Khrapchynskyi was quoted by RBC-Ukraine as saying.
Part of wider anti-drone effort
The introduction of Mnogotochie comes as both Russia and Ukraine continue searching for inexpensive ways to counter the growing threat posed by first-person-view (FPV) drones and other low-flying unmanned systems on the battlefield.Ukraine’s Defense Express reported that Russia has increasingly focused on specialised anti-drone ammunition as conventional rifle fire has proved less effective against fast-moving UAVs.Russia has also recently unveiled other counter-drone systems, including the ZAK-30 Citadel anti-aircraft system and a new shrapnel shell for automatic cannons, which it says are intended to defend military facilities against drone attacks.While Russian officials claim the new ammunition substantially increases the probability of hitting drones, there has been no independent battlefield assessment confirming its effectiveness under combat conditions.
