Russia claims Ukraine has deployed a new long-range drone

Russian military sources claim that Ukraine’s newly deployed long-range Lord drone is improving deep-strike capability, reportedly causing concern among Russian officials. At the same time, a Russian company is developing the Styrofoam UAV Shturm-ST for use on the battlefield, promoting its affordability and resistance to electronic warfare.

Innovations in drone warfare have become a defining feature of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Unmanned vehicles of various sizes play a central role, operating in the air, on land and at sea, with technology advancing rapidly on both sides.

Defense Blog reports that Russian military sources claim Ukraine used a new long-range kamikaze drone in recent attacks. The remains of the drone were shown in a report published by Russian media, suggesting it could be a new, previously unknown model designed specifically for Ukrainian forces.

According to these Russian sources, the drone could be the Lord model, developed by the startup Differentiators. The company, allegedly founded by Russian dissident Mikhail Kokorich, has not confirmed any involvement in the development of this particular UAV and no substantive evidence has been provided to verify the claims, Defense Blog noted.

At the end of January 2024, Mikhail Kokorich himself claimed that the Ukrainian Defense Forces were purchasing various drones from Destinus, a company he founded in the EU after fleeing Putin’s Russia. He stated that the company reportedly delivers over 100 large drones per month, with Ukraine being a major customer. These drones, which serve both civil and military purposes, include the “Lord” model (since Q2 2023) and the “Ruta” and “Hornet” models (since early 2024).

Meanwhile, Ukrainian military news site Defense Express reports that Russia has unveiled a new low-cost loitering munition called Shturm-ST. Developed by Russian company Dominanta, the drone is made of compressed Styrofoam and covered in fiberglass, a design that significantly reduces its cost to about $1,800. The drone should be able to stay in the air for up to 60 minutes and carry a payload of up to 5 kg.

The Shturm-ST is touted as a multi-purpose drone suitable for both reconnaissance and kamikaze missions. Defense Express notes that Russian forces tested the drone in electronic warfare conditions. The drone is reportedly made primarily of Chinese components, reflecting its reliance on low-cost materials for rapid deployment to the battlefield.

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