Ukrainian soldiers prepare to operate a drone in Bakhmut (Photo: Getty).
Vampire, a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with the ability to move quickly and be difficult to detect, has been used effectively by Ukraine in night raids.
Ukraine says the Vampire UAV's capabilities allow them to fly close to Russian tanks and armored vehicles at night before attacking with large explosives.
On November 28, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense shared a video from United24, a Ukrainian government-run media site, about the Vampire UAV, calling the drone "Russia's nightmare."
The short video focuses on a specific drone unit, Unit Code 9.2, outside the city of Bakhmut, explaining that the operators used DJI Mavic drones — small drones used by Ukraine in combat, sometimes rigged with explosives — during the day.
"But at night, it's time for the Vampires to take flight," the video says.
Vampire UAVs can fly fast – typically around 23m per second – and carry huge explosives at enemy targets.
"With the ability to carry up to 15kg and a flight distance of up to 10km, this drone has become a real nightmare for the Russians," the video added.
Ukraine says part of the Vampire’s power is its thermal imaging capabilities, allowing its operators to identify and target enemies at night. Some other UAVs also have thermal imaging capabilities, but the Vampire’s ability to fly day and night with a heavy explosive payload makes it a strategic weapon for Ukraine.
Vampire UAVs have been used to drop various types of munitions on Russian targets. They often target tanks and destroyed a Russian warehouse near Bakhmut in August.
The Vampire UAV has also proven effective in evading Russian jamming equipment, which has become common on the front lines. In addition to destroying tanks and armored vehicles, the UAV also destroys ammunition depots, weapon depots, and enemy defense lines.
Mr. Fedorov, who heads Ukraine’s UAV development program, said earlier this month that Ukraine was on track to “become the world leader in drone production.” After more than a year of fighting, Mr. Fedorov said, Ukraine had undergone “a major change” in the UAV industry.
According to Mr. Fedorov, Ukraine has deployed 270 Vampire attack UAVs to the front lines in the South and East.
Drones of all types, from hobbyist drones to high-end systems built to military specifications, are playing an increasingly important role in Ukraine and shaping modern conflict. Both Russia and Ukraine are deploying thousands of UAVs for surveillance, fire control, bombing, and attack, forcing the other to figure out how to counter them.
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