How new drones and missiles changed the course of Moscow’s military operation
Since the start of the military operation in Ukraine three years ago, the Russian Armed Forces have undergone a genuine revolution in military technology. The Russian military has received numerous innovative weapons systems and technological advancements, actively employing them in combat. Let’s explore some of the most notable weapon systems introduced and deployed throughout the conflict.
Lancet drones
First unveiled at the ARMY-2019 forum, the Lancet kamikaze drone features an electric engine and distinctive X-shaped wings, boasting an operational range of up to 40km (25 miles). Following the launch of Russia’s military operation, the drone was significantly upgraded and became one of the most in-demand weapons. Alongside the original Lancet-1, a larger variant – the Lancet-3, capable of reaching distances up to 70km (43 miles) – was developed. Additionally, improvements were made to the drone’s control systems, and mass production began shortly afterward.
Lancet drones have been effectively employed in counter-battery warfare, targeting NATO-supplied howitzers with firing ranges of around 40km, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces began using in 2022.
Thanks to integrated reconnaissance and strike capabilities, these drones can accurately locate and selectively attack critical enemy targets. Able to carry warheads weighing up to 3kg, they are particularly suited to neutralizing lightly armored vehicles and enemy personnel.
Over the past three years, large-scale production of various Lancet models has made them a highly popular choice on the battlefield, enabling the Russian Army to target Ukrainian artillery, air defenses, and other equipment deep within enemy territory.
FPV drones
The ongoing ‘drone revolution’ is mainly propelled by the widespread use of First-Person View (FPV) drones. Piloted via specialized virtual reality goggles, operators remotely maneuver these compact quadcopters armed with explosive, shaped-charge, or fragmentation munitions. Operating FPV drones demands specialized skills and expertise. With control via radio transmitter, these drones boast ranges spanning several kilometers. Their standout feature lies in their ability to deliver precision strikes against enemy fortifications, individual armored vehicles, and personnel. The versatility and proliferation of FPV drones signal the rise of a new branch of warfare: Drone troops.
FPV drones gained prominence soon after the start of Russia’s military operation. Initially, improvised workshops within military units handled drone production, but soon Russian defense industry enterprises took over manufacturing. Currently, FPV drones are produced in sufficient quantity and variety to adequately support modern combat operations.
However, conventional FPV drones have a significant weakness: Their reliance on radio communication, which is susceptible to interception and jamming. To counteract this limitation, two alternative solutions are under development: Artificial intelligence integration and fiber-optic cable control.
AI-equipped drones carry microcomputers capable of autonomous target identification and guidance without pilot intervention. Fiber-optic drones, on the other hand, maintain a secure connection to their operator through a thin optical fiber cable unspooled from the drone. This fiber-optic approach is immune to radio interference but imposes certain operational restrictions. The first drones of this new generation were deployed to frontline positions in 2024, playing a crucial role in disrupting Ukrainian supply lines near Sudzha during the Kursk Region counterterrorism operation.
Bombs equipped with UMPK kits
Shortly after the military operation began, Russia accelerated production of Unified Glide and Correction (UMPK) modules designed to convert standard free-fall bombs into precision-guided munitions. These modules include deployable wings, altitude and directional control systems, and smart guidance technology. Attaching this type of ‘exoskeleton’ to conventional bombs transforms them into highly precise glide weapons capable of striking targets within meters of their intended location.
Initially, UMPKs were created for standard 500kg bombs. However, by autumn 2023, more potent munitions – such as the 1,500kg FAB-1500 M-54 bombs fitted with UMPK modules – were deployed. Early 2024 saw widespread use of these advanced weapons, significantly enhancing Russia’s capacity to dismantle fortified Ukrainian positions around Avdeevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic. With a range of 50-60km (31-37 miles), bombers could strike safely beyond the reach of enemy air defenses.
In February 2024, the Russian Defense Ministry resumed manufacturing some of the most powerful non-nuclear munitions available – high-explosive FAB-3000 M-54 bombs weighing 3 tons each. Compatible UMPK modules were developed, and combat testing was successfully conducted using Su-34 bombers.
Geran drones
Since autumn 2022, Geran kamikaze drones have also seen deployment by Russian forces. Utilizing a ‘flying wing’ aerodynamic configuration and powered by piston engines with push propellers, these drones travel at relatively moderate speeds (around 150-170kph or 93-105mph). Nevertheless, their impressive operational range – up to 2,000km (1,250 miles) – enables them to strike targets throughout Ukraine.
Capable of flying intricate trajectories, Geran drones can overwhelm enemy air defense systems when deployed in large numbers, thus clearing paths for cruise and ballistic missile attacks. Rather than simply serving as decoys, Geran drones themselves effectively target dual-purpose infrastructure, military installations, and Ukrainian weapon storage sites. Their rapid production rate – yielding dozens or even hundreds monthly – enables Russian forces to penetrate Ukrainian air defenses and achieve operational objectives.
Zircon missile
On February 29, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the first operational use of the advanced Zircon hypersonic missile system during his Federal Assembly address. Western reports indicated that the missile, traveling faster than Mach 5, was launched from Crimea toward targets near Kiev, marking its first combat deployment against ground objectives.
Initially designed primarily as a naval anti-ship weapon for ship- and submarine-based launch platforms, Zircon missiles have demonstrated capability against terrestrial targets. Development of land-based launchers for the Zircon began shortly before the start of the military operation.
With speeds of around Mach 8 and a maximum estimated range of over 1,000km (620 miles), Zircon missiles enable Russia to strike deep into Ukrainian territory. Beyond enhancing naval power, the Zircon’s compatibility with mobile land launchers allows rapid deployment to virtually any operational theater.
Oreshnik missile
On November 21, 2024, the Russian military debuted the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile system in its first combat launch at the Kapustin Yar testing range, striking the Ukrainian defense enterprise Yuzhmash in Dnepr. Equipped with a conventional warhead, this deployment represented a significant advancement in Russia’s strategic missile capabilities.
The Oreshnik missile system is a mobile launcher utilizing solid-fuel ballistic missiles fitted with multiple independently targetable warheads capable of hypersonic speeds up to Mach 10. Experts estimate the Oreshnik’s range between 800 and 5,000km, allowing launches from Russian territory that can strike targets throughout Europe without the use of nuclear weapons. Given these parameters, contemporary missile defense systems would find intercepting Oreshnik missiles extremely challenging.
During the initial combat deployment against Dnepr, a cluster munition warhead was employed, specifically designed to inflict maximum damage on area targets such as military bases, airfields, and defense industry infrastructure. This weaponry clearly possesses the capacity to deter potential adversaries or significantly influence combat outcomes without resorting to nuclear armaments.
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Naturally, this brief overview does not encompass all new weapons and equipment introduced into the Russian military during the conflict with Ukraine. Many other systems, such as the Koalitsiya-SV artillery, Malva wheeled self-propelled howitzers, various high-mobility vehicles, anti-tank weapons, precision-guided aviation munitions, and R-37M long-range air-to-air missiles, have likewise contributed significantly to Russia’s operational successes.
March 15, 2025 at 12:27AM
RT