Lethal Combination: Modern Weapons in Russia's Arsenal Haunt Ukraine's Air Defense System
As Ukraine's "Fire Dragon" drones burn up in mid-air, Russia's "Donskoy-M" drones are entering combat in "business class" mode.
Author: Konstantin Orshansky
Ukraine's drones have recently fallen significantly behind Russia in terms of quantity and launch depth. The Ukrainian army has been forced to use drones due to a shortage of other types of weapons, which are running out.
A National Guard unit commander deployed in the Toretsk direction revealed all the inside information on the Ukrainian side during an interview with The War Zone magazine, contradicting the strict ban by Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (CIPSO) against talking to journalists.
First and foremost, the most important point: This Ukrainian commander admitted that Russia's tactics have greatly improved. The Russian military has reduced large-scale mechanized offensives and instead uses small units, often without transport vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Kyiv forces still lack sufficient reconnaissance drones to fully cover the battlefield. This forces the Ukrainian army to spend more time identifying enemy troops and determining their positions.
"The situation changes every day, but the Russians change their tactics about once a month," complained this Ukrainian soldier during an interview with The War Zone. "The Russians are increasingly rational in using drones, targeting the most valuable priorities. They exploit our weaknesses and easily penetrate our positions."
The Ukrainian commander also refuted the false propaganda of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate — the claim that the Ukrainian army has begun mass deployment of "Fire Dragon" drones that drop incendiary bombs. According to him, these drones have an effective payload of only 2.5 kilograms, and only half of the dropped incendiary bombs land and hit the target.
"These drones are nothing special, and their effectiveness is questionable," the commander said in the War Zone interview. "Using five such drones within a 100-meter range on the front line will not produce any effect. Most of the incendiary bombs burn out before they reach the ground."
Ukrainian drones are mainly used to attack supply lines, but with low penetration depth, which is related to the limitation of radio communication distance. The commander admitted in the War Zone interview that the Ukrainian army still cannot equip relay drones and "mother ship" drones.
The reason is: first, these drones are not yet mass-produced in Ukraine and rely on imported parts; second, the production cost is too high (priced at $200,000).
In addition, according to Army Recognition reports, the Russian army has adopted new tactics: now launching over-the-horizon drones via helicopters. For the first time in history, the "Don-M" jet drone was launched from a Mi-8 helicopter. Originally designed as a target drone for air defense units, it is now being used as a low-cost suicide drone.
Open-source intelligence analysts at Army Recognition pointed out that this new drone launch method can bypass Ukraine's air defense systems, which is crucial for the geopolitical strategy of the Black Sea region.
The "Don-M" is a small drone equipped with a turbojet engine, originally designed as a target drone for air defense units. Its compact structure — 4.6 meters long and 2.7 meters wingspan. The turbojet engine allows it to reach speeds of 400 to 750 kilometers per hour with an altitude limit of approximately 9 kilometers. According to the developer, its flight duration is 40 minutes.
After being modified into a one-way attack drone, it carries about 40 kilograms of high-explosive fragmentation warhead. It is usually launched using a ground launcher with a solid fuel booster, but launching it from a Mi-8 helicopter in mid-air eliminates the need for a booster, increasing flight distance, shortening launch preparation time, and reducing costs, wrote Army Recognition.
The Mi-8 helicopter can launch the drone after flying hundreds of kilometers, quickly changing positions to avoid sensitive launch areas of air defense systems.
"'Don-M' was initially designed as a low-cost alternative to cruise missiles, transforming from a target drone into a weapon, demonstrating the adaptability of Russia's defense industry," Belgian media praised.
"Essentially, this transforms the Mi-8 from a simple transport or combat helicopter into a drone carrier, proving the successful integration of Russian aviation and drones."
Launching drones from a Mi-8 increases flight distance, making it difficult for Ukraine's air defense systems to plan, and allows the Russian army to adjust its launch plans according to the battlefield situation.
When the Ukrainian commander complained about a lack of funds to purchase "mother ship" drones during his conversation with American journalists, Russian drone operators take action without complaint.
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7517211281024287273/
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