Russian 'Lancet' Loitering Munitions Used in Ukraine Attacks

The destruction caused by kamikaze drone attacks in Kyiv over the past few days are caused by Russian-made 'Lancet' Loitering munition, also known as Flying Kalashnikov, along with Iranian Shahed-136 attack drones.

Revelations by the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) points to the extensive use of the 'Lancet' loitering munitons by ZALA Aero, a Russian drone maker which is now a subsidiary of Kalashnikov Concern.

"The Russian Ministry of Defense has published the first video that allows a detailed look at the use of modernized loitering ammunition ‘Lancet’ in the zone of the special military operation in Ukraine. On the footage, the UAV hits an SUV, near which there were Ukrainian militants," said a report in the Russian MoD's TV Channel.

The 'Lancet' is a kamikaze drone with a 'double X' aerodynamic design. It allows you dive at very high speeds, while maintaining a large payload, and to develop a very good speed, the report said.

The Russian MoD published footage of the destruction of Ukrainian military equipment by high-precision strike drones of the Airborne Forces in the Nikolaev-Krivoy Rog region.

As a result of the use of drones, several enemy tanks were destroyed, as well as self-propelled artillery mounts and enemy wheeled vehicles, it added.

Compared to the Shahed-136, the Lancet drones can loiter at a higher altitude and dive at a very high speed giving defensive forces a shorter window of opportunity to react and shoot down the drone.

The 'Lancet' loitering munition is shaped like a missile unlike the Shahed -136 that resembles a mini-aircraft. The optical seeker is embedded in the nose rather than on its underbelly to reduce drag and leave a smaller radar signature. The two sets of X Plane wings- two at the mid-point and two at the far end, allow greater stability in the air. The propulsion system is all-electric with a two-bladed propeller at the rear.

Click here to read more about Shahed-136 UAVs.