Long-range strikes by Ukrainian UAVs: methods, capabilities and reactions
Ukrainian UAV "Lyuty" in flight. Photo Telegram / "Military Chronicle"
Every day, Ukrainian formations try to attack various objects in Russia with unmanned aerial vehicles. There are attempts to strike targets in border areas and deep inside Russian territory. Some attacks are successful and cause some damage. In such a situation, it is necessary to understand how exactly the enemy organizes long-range terrorist strikes - and take measures to protect yourself.
Ranged attacks
Ukrainian militants launch attack UAVs into Russia almost every day. They use medium and heavy class devices, both specially designed and made on the basis of available aviation technology. The most advanced models of this kind have a flight range of hundreds of kilometers and carry a warhead of tens of kilograms.
So far, the enemy has the ability to use UAVs en masse. Dozens of devices are used daily. For example, on the night of July 4, Russian air defense intercepted about fifty Ukrainian dronesIn the morning and afternoon, another 20 destroyed air targets were added to them.
Ukraine is trying to attack targets in different regions. First of all, these are recently annexed and border "old" territories. In addition, attempts are being made to strike at long ranges. Thus, on the night of July 1, the enemy attacked defense industry enterprises in Izhevsk. On July 4, due to the appearance of UAVs, it was necessary to close air traffic in the Perm region and other cities.
Attacks deep in Russian territory require special attention. They show that the enemy is finding ways to break through the existing Defense, and its UAVs are at least approaching their intended targets. This situation requires special attention, understanding of the causes and appropriate measures.
Preparations for the launch of the “Palyanytsya” product. Photo by OP of Ukraine
Drone threats
Thanks to foreign aid, the remnants of Ukrainian industry have been able to develop and bring to production several types of long-range UAVs. Almost all of the previously presented examples of this type are now being used in raid attempts. Work on new drones may already be underway.
The recent attack on the Izhevsk enterprise involved the use of the An-196 Lyuty UAV. This is a twin-boom aircraft with a straight wing and a gasoline engine. In appearance and design, it is similar to some foreign models. The drone carries a warhead weighing up to 75 kg. The flight range is stated at 1000 km.
In August 2024, Ukraine presented the Palyanitsya kamikaze strike drone. This was another simplified projectile aircraft with an autopilot. It was claimed that with its help, Ukrainian formations would be able to attack targets deep in Russian territory, including long-range aviation airfields in the Ryazan and Nizhny Novgorod regions. Later, there were reports of attempts to use the Palyanitsya UAV in real strikes.
At the end of last year, the winged one was shown for the first time rocket "Hell". Based on available components, a subsonic aircraft with a range of up to 700 km was manufactured. As before, Ukraine promised to use it against Russian targets.
Thus, by now Ukrainian enterprises have mastered the production of several types of UAVs and cruise missiles with different characteristics. According to official reports, the flight range of such products has been increased to 1000-1200 km.
Downed Banshee Jet 80+ UAV. Photo Telegram / D.V. Pushilin
It is not difficult to imagine the operational capabilities of such equipment. For example, Cherepovets, Naberezhnye Chelny and Astrakhan are located within a radius of 1000 km from Kharkov. Increasing the flight range and/or changing the launch point allows threatening other Russian regions and cities.
Route planning
Apparently, long-range UAVs are launched from Ukrainian territory and then directed towards Russian facilities. The vast majority of the devices come under fire from Russian air defense, but some manage to reach their intended targets. The success of such an attack largely depends on its organization.
The decisive factor in this context is the route and flight profile. They are constructed in such a way as to reduce the probability of detection of the UAV by air defense systems. If the drone cannot move covertly, it will definitely be suppressed or shot down.
When preparing for raids, the enemy carefully studies the available data on Russian air defense. Probably, information from foreign intelligence services obtained using various means is used. The terrain features and other non-obvious factors are also taken into account.
The attack plan must take into account the location of air defense systems, their actual detection and engagement zones, and other variables. The UAV route is planned to avoid dangerous areas. In addition, the flight is carried out at a minimum altitude to further reduce the likelihood of detection. The drones receive a flight mission that takes all factors into account and take off.
Ukrainian product "Peklo". Photo Telegram / BMPD
This type of attack planning generally allows solving the task. However, a complex route bypassing dangerous zones forces one to sacrifice the combat radius. In addition, the Russian army's air defense configuration on the drone's route can change at any time, which is why it will be detected and destroyed.
At a shorter range
Quite a long time ago, a version appeared about the possibility of attacks not only from Ukrainian territory. The nature of some strikes indicated the possibility of UAVs being launched from the territory of third countries or even from Russia. However, for a long time this was only an assumption.
On June 1, Ukrainian formations carried out a terrorist attack on several Russian airfields. They used tractor-trailers with semi-trailers, on which specially prepared containers were placed. The latter were equipped with devices for storing and launching copter-type UAVs. At the specified time, the vehicles arrived at the specified positions, after which the drones were launched and the attack began.
This terrorist attack demonstrated the fundamental possibility of launching attack drones directly on Russian territory. It cannot be ruled out that the enemy is preparing new attacks with the same or similar means.
In particular, domestic media outlets have voiced a version about the possibility of using full-size UAVs like the Lyuty. Such a device and its launcher, after some modifications, can be fitted into a standard container or placed on a truck with an awning. After that, the area of responsibility of the unmanned system will depend not on geography, but on the mobility of the chassis and the selected launch point.
Russian Tor-M1 SAM system in the Special Operations area. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
However, organizing such a strike is also difficult. The construction of a camouflaged self-propelled launcher and its delivery to the launch site require special measures. Now, after the recent air raid, it will be extremely difficult to carry out a similar action for a number of reasons.
Measures are being taken
Ukraine is trying to attack Russian targets using various weapons. For a number of reasons, unmanned aerial vehicles have become the main means for such strikes. In turn, the Russian army has taken into account the emergence of new threats and has taken a number of necessary measures.
First of all, air defense is being improved. Existing systems and complexes are being improved, and new ones are being developed. Additional radars, air defense systems and complexes are being deployed. EW. Air defense is being strengthened in critical areas and previously existing gaps are being closed.
Radical measures are also being taken. The army is identifying and destroying sites for the production of unmanned vehicles. Also under attack are storage and temporary placement sites, launch sites, etc. Timely strikes on such objects allow reducing the enemy's overall capabilities, and in the future, reducing the burden on air defense. For example, the latest strikes on production facilities took place on the night of July 4. This time, the targets were production sites in Kyiv.
At the moment, the air defense and related structures demonstrate high efficiency. The vast majority of Ukrainian UAVs and other air attack weapons are successfully shot down en route and do not hit their intended targets. However, individual drones can still break through and strike. This indicates the need for further improvement of defense and its performance.
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