Russian ‘Lancet’ Kamikaze Drone Downs Ukrainian Su-25, 60 km from Frontline

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Russian kamikaze drone, “Lancet,” has successfully hit a static Ukrainian Su-25 fighter jet at an airbase located approximately 60 km from the Ukrainian army’s front lines.

The attack by the “Lancet” drone on the Ukrainian Air Force’s Su-25 took place at the Dolgintsevo Air Base in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which clearly indicated that Russia has managed to extend the range of this kamikaze drone.

With the increased range of the “Lancet” kamikaze drone, it enables Russia to target more Ukrainian military assets.

Previously, the Russian drone manufacturer, ZALA Aero, stated that this weapon was capable of flying and attacking targets at distances ranging from 60 km to 110 km.

The attack on the Ukrainian Su-25 fighter marks the second incident in which the Russian “Lancet” drone has managed to destroy the country’ s air force, Recently the suicide drone managed to hit a MiG-29 fighter jet belonging to Ukraine stationed at the same airbase.

 

The “Lancet” kamikaze drone, produced by the Russian company ZALA Aero Group, which is part of the Kalashnikov Concern group, has emerged as one of the most feared weapons systems among Ukrainian military personnel since the conflict between the two countries erupted in February of the previous year.

Priced at only $35,000 each, Russia uses the “Lancet” kamikaze drone to destroy much more expensive Ukrainian weapons, such as artillery systems and air defense systems supplied by Western countries.

Now, videos have spread on social media showing the Russian kamikaze drone being used to destroy German-made Leopard main battle tanks used by the Ukrainian military.

 Ukrainian artillery unit members interviewed by the state media also acknowledged that the “Lancet” kamikaze drone is one of the biggest threats they face on the battlefield.

They also said that Russia has increased the use of these kamikaze drones in recent months.

 

The effectiveness of the “Lancet” kamikaze drone is also acknowledged by Yuriy Sak, an advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, who stated that the kamikaze drone has caused various difficulties for their military personnel.

According to Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, approximately 45 percent of Ukraine’s military equipment, especially artillery systems supplied by NATO countries, has been destroyed by the “Lancet” kamikaze drone since the conflict began in February of the previous year.

From January 1 to April of this year, he stated that the Russian military had destroyed a total of 59 M777 howitzers, 13 M109 Paladins, 14 HIMARS systems, and various other artillery systems supplied by Poland, Germany, France, and the Czech Republic.

 

 However, he did not specify whether all of these artillery systems were destroyed by the “Lancet” kamikaze drone.

But according to Russian military sources quoted by the state media, the kamikaze drone is responsible for the destruction of 80 percent of the mobile M109 Paladin artillery systems and 25 percent of the M777 howitzers supplied by the United States.

Following its success on the battlefield, ZALA Aero Group is now increasing the production of the “Lancet” kamikaze drone to meet the needs of the Russian military in the war zone. –DSA

DEFENCE  SECURITY ASIA APPS

 

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