Ukraine's kamikaze drones escalate conflict with deep strikes into Russia

Ukraine is no longer just defending its territory, but is also increasingly targeting strategic locations within Russia. Kamikaze drones, which are crucial in this shift, now boast ranges long enough to reach areas near the Ural mountains.

Kamikaze drones, renowned for their self-destructive capability in attacks, are becoming more sophisticated, enhancing their effectiveness in contemporary asymmetric warfare. Their evolution is boosting the Ukrainian military's capability to strike critical targets precisely. Recently, a drone achieved a groundbreaking distance of roughly 870 miles. Defense Express, a Ukrainian defense news service, reported that this was achieved by a large drone designed from a light aircraft.

Ukraine is not merely relying on receiving kamikaze drones from international partners; it is also developing its own long-range strike drones. This new tech enables Ukraine to retaliate against attacks and hit distant targets within Russia.

The specifics of the long-range strike drones developed by Ukraine remain largely undisclosed, yet at least a dozen designs have been identified as being used against Russia. Some of these drones are well-documented, while others are kept under wraps.

In mid-2023, there was significant discussion about the "UJ-26 Beaver," a Ukrainian long-range drone that allegedly saw action in an attack on Moscow twice. This drone has a wingspan of approximately 2.5 meters, flies at speeds of 150 - 200 km/h (about 93 - 124 mph), and has a range of 800 to 1,000 km (approximately 497 to 621 miles). The "Beaver" can carry a payload of around 20 kg (about 44 lbs).

Subsequently, reports on the "Morok" strike drone were noted for its rare tailless design in current aviation. Powered by a single engine, it is purported to have a range of roughly 800 km (about 497 miles), carrying a payload of approximately 30 kg (about 66 lbs).

Another intriguing Ukrainian drone is the "UJ-22 Airborne," capable of reaching speeds up to 160 km/h (about 99 mph) and a maximum altitude of around 6 km (about 3.7 miles). This drone can carry loads of around 20 kg (about 44 lbs) and has a controlled flight range of about 100 km (roughly 62 miles), but it can autonomously travel up to 800 km (about 497 miles). The "UJ-22 Airborne" was located near Moscow in 2023.

A frequent target for these drone attacks are oil refineries, a critical component of Russia's economy. Recent attacks have employed the "Luty," a long-range drone equipped with a payload of roughly 50 kg (about 110 lbs).

A portion of the kamikaze arsenal remains classified. The Ukrainian military has kept the specifics of these drones under wraps, so their capabilities often only come to light following an attack on Russian targets.

A recent attack targeted the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil refinery in Bashkortostan. Analysts from Defense Express discount the possibility of "Luty" being used again, suggesting instead a larger, more powerful drone was responsible.

According to the Ukrainian news outlet 24tv.ua, the strike on the refinery in Salavat, well over 870 miles from the Ukrainian border, hints at the deployment of an advanced, secretive drone model.

This development implies that Ukraine possesses weaponry capable of reaching deep into Russian territory, putting cities such as Saint Petersburg, Kazan, and Petrozavodsk within its range. For Russia, this escalation, as evidenced by the deployment of anti-drone systems during the Victory Parade, signals a troubling increase in attacks on its far-flung territories.