A trio of Ukrainian UAVs penetrated a dense air defense network.

Kyiv's accelerated deployment of domestically produced, low-cost, long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is reshaping Ukraine's large-scale warfare methods.

Ukraine is using three types of domestically developed long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the RS 1 Bars, Bars SM Gladiator, and FP 1 Firepoint, to strike deep into areas behind enemy lines.

These are weapons systems that Kyiv has been actively optimizing recently to demonstrate long-range combat capabilities using systems that are significantly less expensive than traditional cruise missiles.

The emergence of this trio coincided with a series of activities aimed at increasing pressure on the enemy's energy infrastructure.

According to data compiled by the Vot Tak news agency, through a combination of missiles and UAVs since the beginning of the conflict, Ukraine has approached dozens of Russian oil refineries, according to the Kyiv Independent.

On May 21, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces had targeted Rosneft's Syzran oil refinery and another large facility near the town of Kstovo (Nizhny Novgorod province).

Meanwhile, on May 22, the Ukrainian National Police accused Russia of using guided bombs, UAVs, FPV drones, artillery, and mortars to launch a series of attacks on 36 residential areas in the Sumy province.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense , a series of drones appearing along the western border forced the country's air defenses to activate their interceptor systems, shooting down 121 Ukrainian UAVs.

In eastern Ukraine, the commander of the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces announced that the country's medium-range drones successfully approached a drone control training camp in the town of Snizhne on Wednesday night, affecting at least 65 trainees and one instructor.

According to RT on May 22, Russia condemned the Ukrainian drone attack on the Starobelsk Vocational College, which injured at least 35 people and killed 4. Rescue operations at the scene had to be temporarily suspended due to the risk of further bombing.

Decoding the technology of the new trio of UAVs.

To reach heavily protected targets, Ukraine's domestically produced UAVs must technologically upgrade themselves to overcome a multi-layered air defense network comprising S-300 and S-400 long-range anti-aircraft missiles, electronic warfare systems, Pantsir, and Tor systems.

Ukraine says it used drones to attack multiple targets in Moscow, including an oil pumping station. Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

RS 1 Bars and Gladiator variant

Of the three types of drones mentioned by Ukraine, the Bars SM Gladiator is the one with the least publicly available information. According to Business Insider , the detailed specifications of this model are currently unknown, but the name suggests it may be an upgraded variant based on the RS 1 Bars UAV.

The RS 1 Bars was introduced by Ukraine in the spring of 2025. It is a hybrid weapon combining the design of a cruise missile and a jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Developed by domestic private manufacturers, it is optimized for mass production, capable of carrying 45 to 90 kg of explosives and achieving a range of approximately 800 km.

Emergency response forces at the scene of a fire that broke out at a construction site under an overpass in Moscow last weekend. Photo: Anadolu .

FP 1 Firepoint

The FP 1 Firepoint currently has the most publicly available technical information. According to Anna Gvozdiar, Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, this model has entered mass production to meet field needs.

This is a small, jet-powered UAV with a shape similar to a miniature military aircraft. To optimize payload and range, the current version has completely eliminated the landing gear system. The device is launched directly from a rail platform using a rocket booster without the need for a runway, serving for one-way attack missions.

Each FP-1 missile has an estimated production cost of around $50,000 , a range of up to 1,600 km, and can carry a warhead weighing up to 120 kg. This weapon system, developed by the Ukrainian-Czech joint venture UAC in cooperation with DeViRo, has demonstrated proven combat effectiveness in field operations, including attacks on the Marinovka air base, damaging several enemy Su-34 fighter-bombers.

Ukraine's FP-1 long-range drone in May 2025. Photo: Mezha Media.

According to Forbes writer David Ax, the FP-1 is manufactured by the Ukrainian-Czech corporation UAC. This unit is affiliated with the Ukrainian company DeViRo, which specializes in developing military drones. The current version of the FP-1 is said to have improved flight range and payload capacity by removing the landing gear, using a missile launch mechanism, and performing only one-way missions, not returning after attacking the target.

Source: https://znews.vn/bo-ba-uav-ukraine-choc-thung-luoi-phong-khong-day-dac-post1652955.html