Russian specialists have managed to capture and examine a new Ukrainian kamikaze drone equipped with a jet engine.
Since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022, Ukrainian forces have fielded better drones than Russian forces and used them effectively to keep Russian forces on the back foot.
Recall how Russia was forced to seek Iran’s help to level the playing field somewhat through the acquisition of Geran-2 (Shahed) drones.
During the past two years, Ukrainian long-range kamikaze drones have repeatedly penetrated deep into Russian airspace to strike military and energy infrastructure targets. Ukraine has even been able to hit Moscow several times, outwitting Russian air defenses.
The effectiveness of Ukrainian drone strikes has, to some extent, made up for Ukraine’s inability to use NATO long-range missiles such as the Anglo-French Storm Shadow / Scalp due to supplier-mandated constraints on their usage.
The capture of the advanced Ukrainian jet-powered drone will give Russia a chance to analyze the tactical responses coded into the drone and possibly counter Ukraine’s long-range drones more effectively.
According to Dmitry Kuzyakin, general director of the Center for Complex Unmanned Solutions, when approaching an air defense or (Electronic Warfare) EW zone, the drone is observed to accelerate and gain speed.
The Center for Complex Unmanned Solutions studied the drone to obtain data that may help negate the advantages of the jet-powered drone. Dmitry Kuzyakin claimed that the results of the examination have already been delivered to facilitate the development of countermeasures.
