Ukrainian drones unleash unstoppable thermite terror on the Russian front
Ukrainians are tirelessly experimenting with using drones for new tasks. The latest innovation involves using drones to drop incendiary thermite, which conventional means cannot extinguish. Here, we present the performance of this weapon and the background of its use.
Ukrainians conceptually use FPV drones and larger types like "Baba Yaga" as substitutes for precision weapons that are not available in sufficient quantities, such as anti-tank guided missiles or guided mortar or artillery shells.
The first versions of these drones had a range of several hundred meters, but current models are said to have a range of up to 6 miles. Additionally, with the support of Western countries, Ukrainians are working intensively on using artificial intelligence to ensure autonomous operation in the final phase of flight or are using fiber optic cables instead. These drones are immune to electronic warfare systems' jamming techniques, leaving kinetic destruction as the only form of defense.
Besides reconnaissance or attacking Russian vehicles or even individual soldiers, drones are also used to destroy Russian defensive positions in forests using incendiary weapons. In the video below, you can see a drone raid with thermite on a line of trees where Russians are believed to be hiding. The thermite was likely in a ceramic bucket hanging under the drone with a hole at the bottom.
Thermite as an incendiary weapon — an old but still very effective solution
The Ukrainians used thermite in an attack on Russian fortifications in a line of trees. Thermite, well known in welding and incendiary weapons commonly used during World War II, is a mixture of powdered aluminum and iron oxide (rust), with magnesium often used as an igniter. Igniting thermite requires about 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit, after which it burns at temperatures exceeding 5,432 degrees Fahrenheit.
During a violent reaction, molten metal is scattered over the surrounding area. Thermite cannot be extinguished even by cutting off oxygen because it contains oxygen within its structure. These properties allow it to burn through reinforced concrete fortifications or tank armor if enough thermite mixture is applied to a given spot.
Attempts to extinguish thermite with water can prove even more catastrophic because the very high temperatures cause water molecules to break into oxygen and explosive hydrogen. In practice, it is recommended to let thermite burn out.
