Ukraine’s defense industry has manufactured over 30,000 bomber drones in the past year, according to Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin. These drones, nicknamed “Baba Yaga” by Russian forces, have become a formidable weapon in Ukraine’s arsenal.
“The enemies call them all in the same way – ‘Baba Yaga’, because these drones have really become a nightmare for them,” Smetanin said during a visit from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “Working mostly at night, they inflict painful blows on the enemy’s equipment and personnel. There are already dozens of bomber drones in Ukraine, and over 30,000 units have been produced over the past year.”
These heavy-duty drones are not only effective in direct attacks but also in remote mining and delivering supplies to areas inaccessible by land.
During his visit, Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inspected models of Ukrainian drones and spoke with their manufacturers. The showcased drones included the “Hor” reconnaissance drone, the twin-engine Avenger bomber drone capable of carrying two FPV drones, and several multi-rotor bomber copters.
One particularly interesting model was the R-34 heavy octocopter equipped with a guided munition. This munition appears to have aerodynamic surfaces for maneuvering, suggesting it may utilize laser guidance or an optical target acquisition system based on “machine vision” algorithms.
While the R-34 has four guides for munitions, the size of the showcased munition suggests the actual payload will be smaller.
This development aligns with reports from Russian forces about Ukrainian bomber drones using laser-guided bombs. In early August 2024, a downed Ukrainian copter was found with a corrected projectile featuring an optical module and tail aerodynamic rudders.
The high-explosive fragmentation munition was marked with “BK-3OF” and a serial number, indicating mass production. The marking and the notch on the body, designed to produce uniform fragments, further confirm its purpose.
Ukraine’s ability to produce such advanced drones in significant numbers highlights the country’s growing technological capabilities and its determination to resist the ongoing Russian aggression.
Source: MILITARNYI
