Latest news with #R-73
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Weaponized Russian Jet-Powered Target Drone Shot Down Over Black Sea: Ukraine
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) says its air defense unit shot down a Russian jet drone headed to the Black Sea port city of Odesa. A spokesman for GUR told us that it was a Dan-M, a target drone the Russians have converted into a cruise missile-like capability. A Ukrainian military publication, however, suggested it could have been an Iranian-designed jet drone. In a post on Telegram Friday, GUR released a 34-second video claiming to show the interception. It opens with the launch of a missile and then cuts to a different view, showing something exploding upon hitting the water. It does not show the intercept itself. Shot Down Over the Black Sea: russia's Newest Jet-Powered Drone Destroyed by DIU-Developed Missile System — Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) May 30, 2025 The drone was downed by 'a mobile anti-aircraft missile system equipped with R-73 missiles, developed by specialists of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine with the support of foreign partners,' GUR stated. This is a ground-based system, GUR spokesman Andrii Yusov told us. In addition to equipping its Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter fleets, Ukraine has used the Soviet-era heat-seeking R-73 air-to-air missiles on a range of platforms, including two types of so-called 'FrankenSAM' surface-to-air missile systems and drone boats. Claims of the intercept come a day after Ukrainian electronic warfare expert Serhii 'Flash' Beskrestnov first stated that Russia had fired three Dan-M jet drones at Odesa from Crimea. 'Dan-M is a jet target for training and testing air defense, which the Russian Federation converted into an attack UAV,' Beskrestnov stated on Telegram Thursday. Beskrestnov said that the Dan-M has a maximum altitude of about 5.5 miles, a flight time of between 25 and 40 minutes and can travel between 400kph (about 250mph) and 750kph (about 466mph). This morning, Russia attacked with a new type of attack jet UAV "Dan-M". They were launched by a group from Crimea, – "Flash""Dan-M" is a jet target for training and testing air defense, which the Russian Armed Forces converted into an attack UAV. In the original, the target… — MAKS 25 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) May 29, 2025 'Provided the warhead was installed where the parachute used to be, it should weigh several dozen kilograms,' according to the Ukrainian Defense Express news outlet. 'All in all, it gives Russian forces a weapon to strike targets based on known coordinates at ranges 300 (about 186 miles) to 400 km (about 250 miles).' The Russians introduced an improved Dan-M variant in 2020, the publication stated. The drone 'received a partial update of the onboard electronics and a new small-sized MGTD-125E turbojet engine with a 125 kgf output to replace the MD-120 with its 120 kgf,' the publication stated. 'The Russians claimed the new engine's production process involved additive manufacturing (3D printing) to make parts of the combustion chamber and nozzle.' In his Telegram message, Beskrestnov said it was unclear why the Russians took the time to convert the target drone into a weapon '[u]nless they have a large number of these UAVs.' He also noted that at the beginning of the war, Ukraine used converted jet reconnaissance drones 'because we did not have cruise missiles and long-range attack UAVs.' As we reported previously, those were Ukrainian Soviet-era Tu-141 and Tu-143 reconnaissance drones fitted with warheads to strike Russian targets (and in one case, accidentally strayed into airspace over the Croatian capital, Zagreb). It is possible that the jet drones were being used to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses, a retired Russian Navy officer who uses the @Capt_Navy X handle told The War Zone. 'We are actively looking for new reserves and new approaches to combat missions,' he said. 'A number of implementations (I'm not talking about Dan-M) that I see suggest that this project has also entered the working stage.' 'We have no problems with ammunition supplies,' he added. 'At a minimum, this can saturate the enemy's air defense system.' Russia has been pummeling Ukraine with long-range drones as well as cruise and ballistic missiles. While neither GUR nor Beskrestnov said how the Dan-M was launched, Capt_N shared a video published on YouTube in 2020 showing a modified version of the drone being fired from helicopters as well as a ground-based launcher. In addition to weaponizing target and reconnaissance jet drones, Russia has purpose-built options, as well. In January 2024, evidence emerged that Russia was using jet-powered Iranian-made Shahed-238 drones. Ukraine has also adapted target drones from the UK and from its own industry for similar purposes. By way of comparison, we previously pointed out that 'target drones by their very nature have latent capabilities that can be employed in support of combat missions. The U.S. military notably demonstrated this with its employment of BQM-34 Firebee target drones to disperse chaff along various corridors to help clear routes for crewed combat aircraft in the opening phases of the invasion of Iraq in 2003. In Vietnam, similar drones even carried out air-to-ground combat roles.' Today, in the U.S., we are seeing target drone designs being adapted to work as collaborative combat aircraft in the 'loyal wingman' role, providing for a compelling low-cost, low-risk, high-capability proposition. Defense Express questioned why Russia would convert a Dan-M into a weapon, suggesting there is a limited supply of these drones. 'The very fact that Russians went out of their way to modify the Dan-M for this role is strange, especially considering that nothing is about this drone being mass-produced,' Defense Express posited. 'The stocks of these UAVs should be too low to make the investment worth it.' The publication offered an alternative suggestion. 'In terms of its size and geometric outlines, the Russian Dan is very similar to the Karrar, a mass-produced weapon from Iran,' Defense Express noted. As you can see from images we previously published, the Karrar, an Iranian interceptor drone, does bear a striking resemblance to the Dan-M. In his Telegram message, Beskrestnov declined to say what happened to the jet drones after they were launched. He also declined in response to a query from us. The recovery of fragments from a downed drone, of course, would provide better evidence of its type. Regardless, it does make sense that Russia would adapt target drones with jet performance and relevant range to play a role in the conflict. These systems are built to be disposable — shot down in air defense exercises and test events — and can usually be produced with some scale economically. So using them as improvised cruise missiles or as high-performance decoys that will help more expensive cruise missiles reach their targets is certainly logical. Contact the author: howard@
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade releases video showing hybrid air defence system
The 3rd Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has released a video showing the Dragon H73 mobile anti-aircraft missile system, which combines Soviet R-73 missiles with American HMMWV vehicles. Source: the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade on Facebook Details: "This mobile fire system, built on the chassis of the first HMMWV, is designed to strike both tactical aircraft and large drones like Orlan or Shahed. We use it all the time, as the system is capable of operating both during the day and at night," said the commander of the Dragon H73 system, who goes by the alias Shaman. Dragon H73. Photo: Screenshot from the video by the 3rd Brigade The Dragon H73 is equipped with a module carrying two Soviet R-73 air-to-air missiles. Soviet R-73s on a MiG-29 fighter jet. These missiles were developed by the Soviet Union in the 1980s for launch from fighter jets, but over the past decades various countries have adapted them for launch from land or sea-based platforms as part of air defence systems. This is not the first time Ukraine has used these missiles in a surface-to-air role. For example, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine integrated R-73s onto Magura V5 uncrewed surface vessels, which were used to shoot down two Russian Mi-8 helicopters in December 2024. Magura V5 uncrewed surface vessel with integrated R-73 missiles. Photo: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Also in 2024, the Come Back Alive charity foundation integrated these missiles into the Soviet Osa anti-aircraft missile system, investing UAH 14 million (about US$336,496) into the modernisation. Osa anti-aircraft missile system with integrated R-73 missiles. Photo: Come Back Alive The UK Gravehawk air defence system, developed specifically for Ukraine, also operates using R-73 missiles. Gravehawk anti-aircraft missile system with integrated Soviet R-73 missiles. Screenshot from the video by UK Ministry of Defence The R-73 remains in service in several dozen countries worldwide, making it potentially available on the global market as well as from Ukraine's own stockpiles. Even before the full-scale war began, Ukrainian companies had announced their capability to repair and modernise these missiles. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Telegraph
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Ukrainian sea drone shoots down Russian fighter jet in world first
Ukraine destroyed a Russian fighter jet using a seaborne drone, Kyiv's military intelligence agency said. The Main Directorate of Intelligence [GUR] said the Russian Su-30 fighter jet was destroyed by Ukraine's Group 13 on Friday, over waters near Novorossiysk, the Russian port city on the Black Sea. It is the world's first downing of a combat plane by a drone boat. The Ukrainian waterborne drone reportedly fired an R-73 surface-to-air missile, which struck the $50 million fighter jet and caused it to catch fire and crash. Ukraine said it used a Magura V7 sea drone, a 5.5m-long drone with a range of up to 1,800km. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of GUR, later claimed that two Russian Su-30s had been shot down by the innovative sea drones. 'It's a historical moment,' he told War Zone website, although no footage has emerged yet of the second strike. It is the latest case of the Ukrainians, who are less well-resourced and armed than Moscow, managing to turn the tables on their Russian invaders in the three-year conflict. 'On May 2, 2025, the special unit of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in cooperation with the SBU and the Defense Forces of Ukraine, eliminated a Russian Su-30 in the Black Sea – this is the first destruction of a combat aircraft by a naval drone in the world,' GUR said in a statement. 'The historic strike was carried out by soldiers of the special forces unit of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry Group 13 with a Magura unmanned maritime platform missile,' the statement continued. 'The fighter plane of the aggressor state of Russia, which has an estimated cost of about $50 million, burst into flames in the air and eventually fell into the sea – to the bottom, and into the possession of ruthless Neptune,' it added. Video footage online appeared to show the moment that the Magura's crosshairs honed in on its target from the sea surface and fired its payload. Russia has not officially responded to the claim, but a prominent Russian military blogger confirmed that the attack had occurred in a post on Telegram. 'Yesterday, towards evening, an Su-30 naval aviation fighter jet was shot down by the Ukrainian side 50 kilometres west of Novorossiysk. This was done from an uncrewed boat with an R-73 SAM [surface-to-air missile],' the blogger, named Rybar, wrote. 'The pilots ejected and were picked up by civilian sailors. Both are alive, and to hell with the plane.' Mr Budanov, however, claimed that the second jet's crew had been killed. Ukraine has previously said it used the Magura seaborne drone to take down two Russian military helicopters in December 2024. It also managed to destroy a patrol ship in the Kerch Strait in March 2024, and the Tsezar Kunikov landing ship in February 2024. Ukraine a world leader in drone technology Drone warfare has become a crucial element of the conflict as the devices are far cheaper and quicker to produce than traditional expensive weaponry. For the past three years, explosive-laden combat drones, the smallest and cheapest variation of drones, have been used by Ukrainian forces to pursue and kill Russian invaders on the eastern front. But there are larger and more advanced types of drones which can be fitted with much more powerful missiles capable of destroying some of Russia's most expensive weaponry. Seaborne drones are a fairly new innovation in warfare. Kyiv has emerged as a world leader in the technology, having had significant success in the Black Sea, using drone boats to terrorise Russian warships. Germany has also become increasingly reliant upon them to defend the Baltic Sea from Russian saboteurs. In January, Germany deployed the Israeli-made 'Blue Whale' drone in the Baltic to survey and pursue suspicious vehicles, such as those seeking to cut undersea cables as part of suspected Russian sabotage operations.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian sea drone shoots down Russian fighter jet in world first
Credit: Telegram/@DIUkraine Ukraine destroyed a Russian fighter jet using a seaborne drone, Kyiv's military intelligence agency said. The Main Directorate of Intelligence [GUR] said the Russian Su-30 fighter jet was destroyed by Ukraine's Group 13 on Friday, over waters near Novorossiysk, the Russian port city on the Black Sea. It is the world's first downing of a combat plane by a drone boat. The Ukrainian waterborne drone reportedly fired an R-73 surface-to-air missile, which struck the $50 million fighter jet and caused it to catch fire and crash. Ukraine said it used a Magura V7 sea drone, a 5.5m-long drone with a range of up to 1,800km. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of GUR, later claimed that two Russian Su-30s had been shot down by the innovative sea drones. 'It's a historical moment,' he told War Zone website, although no footage has emerged yet of the second strike. It is the latest case of the Ukrainians, who are less well-resourced and armed than Moscow, managing to turn the tables on their Russian invaders in the three-year conflict. 'On May 2, 2025, the special unit of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in cooperation with the SBU and the Defense Forces of Ukraine, eliminated a Russian Su-30 in the Black Sea – this is the first destruction of a combat aircraft by a naval drone in the world,' GUR said in a statement. 'The historic strike was carried out by soldiers of the special forces unit of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry Group 13 with a Magura unmanned maritime platform missile,' the statement continued. 'The fighter plane of the aggressor state of Russia, which has an estimated cost of about $50 million, burst into flames in the air and eventually fell into the sea – to the bottom, and into the possession of ruthless Neptune,' it added. Video footage online appeared to show the moment that the Magura's crosshairs honed in on its target from the sea surface and fired its payload. Russia has not officially responded to the claim, but a prominent Russian military blogger confirmed that the attack had occurred in a post on Telegram. 'Yesterday, towards evening, an Su-30 naval aviation fighter jet was shot down by the Ukrainian side 50 kilometres west of Novorossiysk. This was done from an uncrewed boat with an R-73 SAM [surface-to-air missile],' the blogger, named Rybar, wrote. 'The pilots ejected and were picked up by civilian sailors. Both are alive, and to hell with the plane.' Mr Budanov, however, claimed that the second crew had been killed. Ukraine has previously said it used the Magura seaborne drone to take down two Russian military helicopters in December 2024. It also managed to destroy a patrol ship in the Kerch Strait in March 2024, and the Tsezar Kunikov landing ship in February 2024. Drone warfare has become a crucial element of the conflict as the devices are far cheaper and quicker to produce than traditional expensive weaponry. For the past three years, explosive-laden combat drones, the smallest and cheapest variation of drones, have been used by Ukrainian forces to pursue and kill Russian invaders on the eastern front. But there are larger and more advanced types of drones which can be fitted with much more powerful missiles capable of destroying some of Russia's most expensive weaponry. Seaborne drones are a fairly new innovation in warfare. Kyiv has emerged as a world leader in the technology, having had significant success in the Black Sea, using drone boats to terrorise Russian warships. Germany has also become increasingly reliant upon them to defend the Baltic Sea from Russian saboteurs. In January, Germany deployed the Israeli-made 'Blue Whale' drone in the Baltic to survey and pursue suspicious vehicles, such as those seeking to cut undersea cables as part of suspected Russian sabotage operations. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
L'Orient-Le Jour
04-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
A Russian plane shot down in Black Sea by Ukrainian drone
The Ukrainian military claimed to have shot down a Russian fighter jet, a Sukhoi Su-30, with an R-73 anti-aircraft missile fired from a Magura naval drone in the Black Sea, the Ukrainian military intelligence service announced Saturday. "This is the very first destruction of a combat aircraft by a naval drone," the Ukrainian defense minister was pleased to announce on social media. "The historic strike was carried out by warriors of the special unit of Group 13 of HUR using an R-73 missile launched from the unmanned Magura naval platform ... This is the very first destruction of a combat aircraft by a naval drone," he added. "The strike took place in waters near the Russian port of Novorossiysk, where Russian forces are trying to hide the remains of their Black Sea fleet," Ukrainian authorities indicated. The Russian fighter jet was reportedly neutralized Friday by a Ukrainian military intelligence unit, Group 13, according to a statement from Ukrainian authorities. Outnumbered and facing a better-equipped Russian army, Ukraine has developed a strategy of aerial and maritime drones to counter Moscow since the beginning of the war. These devices, less costly and more discreet than traditional ships, have disrupted the Russian fleet in the Black Sea. Already in December 2024, Kiev had claimed the destruction of a Russian helicopter by a missile launched from a maritime drone.
