How 'Dragon Drones' Are Changing Battlefield In Ukraine

• 12.10.2024, 12:51

A revolutionary step.

Ukrainian troops are continually tweaking their drones to improve their effectiveness, and the “dragon drones” are another example of that improvisation and adaptation.

As the New York Times reports, soldiers are attaching canisters to the drones that spew thermite, a molten metal made from aluminum and iron oxide that burns at 4,400 degrees Fahrenheit (about 2,400 degrees Celsius). When it ignites, it creates a self-sustaining reaction that makes it nearly impossible to extinguish.

Capt. Viacheslav, commander of the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade's strike drone company, explained their struggle against Russian soldiers using tree cover to launch attacks, stating resources were spent in vain attempting to drive them out. This led to an innovative approach, utilizing drones fitted with thermite canisters to create lethal 'dragon drones' that rain molten metal on enemy positions, igniting their vegetation and exposing them for direct assault.

Viacheslav says his unit has killed more than 3,000 Russian soldiers since it arrived in the Pokrovsk area in April.

“The dragon drones are another revolutionary step in the drone war that has transformed the battlefield,” the NYT writes.

It didn’t take long for the Russians to start producing their own “dragon drones.” Russian Telegram channels have posted videos of Russian troops using drones to rain fire on Ukrainian soldiers.

The dragon drones, the NYT writes, are just a small part of a rapidly growing fleet of drones. They are in an urgent arms race to innovate and mass-produce drones that fly faster, farther, and more lethally.

As both sides plan to roll out more drones, experienced pilots are becoming even more valuable and harder to replace.

“Pilots are specialists — they are worth their weight in gold — and it is extremely important to protect them,” says Viacheslav. “Once detected, the enemy spares no resources to destroy the position.”