Ukraine's "dragon drone" inspires Russian weapon development

Recently, a recording circulated on social media showcasing a completely new construction developed by Ukrainians—the "dragon drone." This unmanned aerial vehicle "dousing" enemies with fiery rain has caught the interest of the Russians, who now want similar weapons in their arsenal. The first signs of this can already be observed.

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that unmanned aerial vehicles are crucial in gaining an advantage on the modern battlefield. These drones, at a low financial cost, enable aerial reconnaissance, which in turn helps locate enemy positions and directs artillery fire.

Drones are also used for kamikaze attacks. With bomblets of cluster munitions or PG-7LV grenades mounted on them, they can destroy even heavily armored units. The conflict's last few months have also highlighted that drones are versatile tools that can shoot down other drones. Notably, there are unique constructions, such as the drone equipped with a katana, recently demonstrated by Ukrainians.

The development of these advanced tools has led to the debut of another weapon on the frontline. Ukrainians from the 108th Independent Land Defense Brigade "No Chance" recently demonstrated how they have adapted drones into flamethrowers.

A short video published on social media showcases the action of the Ukrainian "dragon drone." It shows the drone hovering over a small forest and "dousing" hidden enemies with streams of fire. At first glance, the drone seems to operate at a relatively high altitude, making it difficult to shoot down while effectively striking opponents over a large area.

Inspired by the Ukrainian innovation, the Russians developed a similar weapon. Initial tests of their new construction are already underway, as reported on the @clashreport profile on the X platform. A video there shows the Russian army with their latest invention. The "dragon drone" visible in the film uses a thermite tank, which, when ignited, produces temperatures exceeding 4,350°F. Ukrainians may use a similar mixture in their version.

So far, the Russians have not confirmed the combat use of "dragon drones." However, the limitations of this type of device are evident in the Russian army's video. The fiery rain from the drone is highly susceptible to wind, requiring the drone pilot to guide it precisely. Drones typically have small batteries that allow for relatively short flights, often about fifteen minutes.