Ukraine Faces Growing Threat from Russia's Low-Cost Molniya Drones
Ukraine is facing an escalating threat from Russia's low-cost Molniya drones, which have been able to penetrate defenses and strike targets up to 50 km away. The drones' simple design allows for decentralized assembly, complicating Ukrainian efforts to disrupt their production. In response, Ukraine is working to enhance its medium-range drone capabilities, though challenges in scaling production and effective defense persist.
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The Molniya drone, a low-cost attack UAV, is increasingly penetrating Ukrainian defenses, with Ukrainian forces targeting production facilities in Russia's Rostov Oblast throughout 2025. Its simple design allows for decentralized assembly, complicating disruption efforts.
Initial encounters in 2024 revealed that previously safe distances from the front line were no longer secure, as the drones evolved to strike logistics and frontline positions from 50 km away. The Molniya can carry payloads of 3-5 kg and has a range of approximately 30 km.
Variants include fibre-optic controlled models that are resistant to electronic warfare. The Ukrainian military is developing its medium-range drone capabilities in response, but challenges remain in scaling production and effective defense against these drones.
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