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Ukraine has unleashed a fleet of ‘Dragon’ drones spewing fire in its offensive against Russia.
Footage from the 42nd Mechanised Brigade first showed the incendiary weapon pouring an unknown substance onto a forest below in the Kharkiv region, where presumably Russian soldiers had taken cover.
In the last week Ukraine’s forces have shared videos of the low-flying drones in action, resembling medieval dragons.
The 108th separate mountain assault battalion shared another video, saying that its drone pilots had flown the ‘Dragon’ drones over Russian positions.
On Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, posted a video showing the drone at night, adding: ‘A real dragon.’
Little is known about their capabilities. Are these part of a new, covert Ukrainian weapons program, or an innovative twist on existing models?
‘Dragon’ drones have been unleashed in parts of the frontline in Ukraine (Picture: Khorne Group)
How Ukraine’s ‘Dragon’ drones operate
Ivan Stupak, a military expert and former SBU officer, who has been speaking with Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline, described the drones as ‘state of art’.
He told Metro.co.uk the weapon is larger than a First Person View drone – that has seen a rise in modern warfare – and has four propellers.
‘It appears to be more sophisticated than a normal drone and I suspect it will be used more widely in the coming months,’ he added.
‘Russia’s army may think Ukraine is showing off, but the Dragon drones will likely be developed to be able to sustain for longer periods, up to a minute.’
Stupak said that reports from the frontline differ about how the drones operate and the flammable substance they use – and the Ukrainian government is being tight-lipped about them.
Dragon drones are understood to carry a substance called thermite, according to the UK-based anti-war advocacy organisation Action on Armed Violence (AOAV).
The mixture is made from metal powder – most often aluminium – and powdered iron oxide or rust.
They are capable of burning through metal and creating fires at temperatures of about 2,200°C.
Impact of the fire-spewing weapon on the war
Such bombs are ‘particularly dangerous’ because their effects are hard to contain, unlike conventional explosives.
Stupak said the drones could burn through and damage nearly any material like trees and foliage, even parts of military vehicles and weapons like machine guns and rifles.
‘They could destroy warehouses with provisions and Russian bunkers where their troops hide,’ he added.
‘Particularly in autumn, when there is a lot of foliage, the drones are used to find enemy positions concealed under trees and even under the surface.’
Recently, a new development in drone warfare has been sighted – the so-called Dragon drones.
Ukrainian drones are pouring thermite on Russian positions. This is something different from FPVs and bombers, and from a psychological viewpoint rather terrifying. 1/𧵠pic.twitter.com/MB48apP8JM
— Emil Kastehelmi (@emilkastehelmi) September 6, 2024
With less vegetation, strike missions are more effective.
Aside from aiding Ukrainian units with reconnaissance, …read more
Source:: Metro
