Servicemembers of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade of Unmanned Systems named after Yakiv Handzyuk have for the first time demonstrated combat operations with the German strike UAV HX-2, manufactured by Helsing — one of the most widely discussed loitering munitions that Germany has been supplying to Ukraine since late 2024. The corresponding report was published on July 29 on the YouTube channel “Army Media.”
According to the UAV crew commander with the call sign “Tryton,” the unit uses the HX-2 to strike targets deep in enemy rear areas at a distance of approximately 60–70 kilometers — primarily targeting artillery systems, armored vehicles, and self-propelled artillery units.
“We operate with HX-2 assets, the strike wing. We work against guns, tanks, and SPGs. All of it to help our infantry destroy the enemy,” the serviceman said.
Pilots deploy an average of 5 to 7 HX-2 drones per day, with the number of sorties increasing during periods of intensified Russian assault activity.
Special attention in the report is given to the artificial intelligence feature, which the manufacturer claims as an advantage of the HX-2 over comparable systems.
“First and foremost, it’s terminal guidance, as well as target search and identification. But the navigator’s primary task is to find and spot the target and lock onto it — after that, it’s the AI’s job,” explained “Tryton.”
The 59th Separate Assault Brigade is the first formation within the UAF’s Unmanned Systems Forces, established on the basis of the former 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, which was reorganized in January 2025. The brigade has combat experience defending Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts, as well as in the battles for Avdiivka and Pokrovsk, and is considered one of the pioneers of the mass integration of drone technologies in the UAF.
According to manufacturer data, the HX-2 is capable of striking artillery, armored, and other military equipment at beyond-line-of-sight ranges of up to 100 km. The drone reaches speeds of up to 220 km/h and weighs approximately 12 kg. Its onboard artificial intelligence provides resilience against electronic warfare systems through its ability to search for, re-identify, and engage targets even without a signal or a continuous communications link.
In November 2024, Germany’s plans to fund the transfer of 4,000 Helsing strike drones to Ukraine became known. On December 2, 2024, the company officially unveiled the new HX-2 loitering munition, and in February 2025 announced the production of an additional 6,000 such drones for Ukraine. According to Helsing, production is carried out at the new RF-1 facility in Germany.
