Russian sources have released photos of what appears to be the wreckage of a Ukrainian DIY suicide drone.
The improvised drone, constructed from a plastic water pipe, an electric motor, and a warhead fashioned from a PG-7VM anti-tank round.
The drone, judging by the photos, represents an attempt by Ukrainian forces to create a low-cost, easily producible strike drone capable of hitting enemy targets at long distances. While it remains unclear whether this drone is part of a series or merely a prototype, it underscores the adaptability of Ukrainian forces in leveraging available materials for military innovation.
“Necessity is definitely the mother of invention for Ukraine,” a defense analyst commented on the unusual design.
Necessity is definitely the mother of invention for Ukraine.
Here is a Ukrainian kamikaze drone with a drainpipe fuselage, a pusher electric motor, and a double PG-7M warhead. pic.twitter.com/8t4cmQwnfb— Roy🇨🇦 (@GrandpaRoy2) August 17, 2024
The drone’s construction, which uses common materials like plastic piping, reflects a growing trend in asymmetric warfare where both sides are increasingly relying on improvised technologies to gain an edge.
Similar improvised drones have also been reported on the Russian side. According to experts from BLITZ Aircraft Unmanned, Russia has been producing decoy drones made partially of wood and extruded polystyrene foam, held together with masking tape. Despite their rudimentary construction, these drones are equipped with modern engines and Chinese-made electronics, offering a blend of low-tech materials with high-tech capabilities.
These Russian drones, which can carry a payload of up to 10 kilograms and have a range exceeding 600 miles, have been used to challenge Ukraine’s air defenses. Their simple construction allows for mass production at a lower cost, making them effective tools for overwhelming enemy air defenses through sheer numbers.