Ukrainian Drones Get a Major Upgrade
Strike drones developed by the Ukrainian company Fire Point can now launch missiles mid-flight. These missile-carrying platforms are already being deployed against Russian targets. Each drone carries eight S-5 rockets, a Soviet-era munition. According to journalist Serhii Okuniev from NV, this is not a test model but a fully operational system that has already proven effective in combat.
Denys Shtilerman, lead designer and co-owner of Fire Point, stated that in a single attack, the platform can hit a locomotive and four fuel tankers simultaneously.
“A cluster of tankers. There’s no point in losing an aircraft for just one tanker,” he explained.Shtilerman also emphasized that very little engineering modification was needed for the aircraft. The drone has an autonomous flight range of 100 to 300 kilometers, and when controlled via Starlink, it can reach up to 500 kilometers. The fully automated launch algorithm is already operational, allowing the drone to autonomously home in on targets.
New Models of Strike Drones Enter Service
Fire Point is also deploying a strike drone with a larger warhead to the front. A model carrying 170 kilograms of explosives is already in use, while a 200-kilogram variant has been tested and is being prepared for serial production. This strike drone has a range of 370 kilometers. Shtilerman compared this munition to Russian guided bombs (KABs), noting that Ukraine’s defense forces have struggled with KABs for the fourth year of the war.
“I didn’t believe we would overcome it. The military was convinced something would reach,” he said of the new technology’s success.
According to Shtilerman, the recent massive attack on Moscow was made possible by the sheer number of assets deployed.
“We overwhelmed their air defense—simply overwhelmed it,” he emphasized, pointing to the growing effectiveness of Ukrainian drones in combat conditions.
The increasing technological capabilities of Ukrainian drones are a critical factor in modern warfare. These advanced systems reduce risks for pilots and improve the precision of strikes against enemy military assets. They may also influence strategic decisions on the Russian side, as the growing effectiveness of drones could lead to shifts in defensive approaches.
The ongoing evolution of drone warfare is evident not only in the advancements made by Ukrainian manufacturers but also in the innovative tactics employed by the military. For instance, recent reports highlight how Ukrainian border guards are effectively neutralizing drones at night using an Xbox controller, showcasing the adaptability and ingenuity of Ukrainian forces in the face of evolving threats.