Troops are drilled in shooting at drone analogues flying at varying speeds and angles, from head-on to flanking trajectories. Realistic scenarios involve dummy drones equipped with visual cues such as flashing lights or smoke, while instructors simulate battlefield conditions with noise and distraction. The exercises also cover ambidextrous firing positions, rapid target reacquisition, and firing from cover, mimicking trenches and urban rubble where soldiers would realistically encounter drone threats.

Crucially, situational awareness training plays a central role. Drones often appear with little warning, guided manually by operators hiding kilometers away. Ukrainian forces are learning to identify low-altitude flight corridors, recognize the sound signatures of FPV engines, and coordinate with spotters to trigger a fast response. In many frontline zones, electronic warfare support is either unavailable or degraded, making manual countermeasures the last and only line of defense.