Ukrainians Convert Light Plane into Long-Range Kamikaze Drone

Ukrainian engineers have modified a light civilian aircraft into a kamikaze drone with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers, according to German publication Bild.

This transformation allows the drone to carry a warhead while remaining a challenging target for Russian air defense systems.

The drone has been linked to strikes in regions such as Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, and the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, over 1,200 kilometers from Ukraine. The attack on the Alabuga zone, which occurred in April 2024, targeted a factory assembling Shahed drones, branded Geran-2 by Russia.

Analysis of the drone's features suggests it includes radar protection through a special film and operates with a low-heat engine, making it difficult to detect. While conventional missiles, like the Storm Shadow, generate engine temperatures of up to 870 degrees, the drone’s engine heats only to 100 degrees. Its low-speed and low-altitude capabilities further complicate interception.

According to Bild, this weapon represents one of several innovations developed by Ukraine in response to the Russian invasion. However, the limited number of these modified drones could restrict their operational impact.