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New Imagery Offers a Rare Glimpse into the Preparation and Launch of Long-Range Kamikaze Drones Targeting russian Infrastructure

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The preparation process for long-range kamikaze UAVs / Photo credit: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The preparation process for long-range kamikaze UAVs / Photo credit: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

A recent statement by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine highlights increased drone usage

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has issued a statement summarizing the operational achievements of their drone strike units. Accompanying the statement were photographs offering a potential glimpse into the preparation of long-range kamikaze drones, which have been deployed in strikes against targets within the russian federation.

The debriefing was conducted in a closed format via video conference, where the effectiveness of unmanned systems in countering russian forces was assessed. Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, highlighted that in August 2024, the use of FPV drones on the frontlines increased by 25% compared to June of the same year.

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The accompanying photos reveal key details about the preparation process for long-range kamikaze UAVs used in strikes on russian territory. The preparations appear to take place at night or during the early hours of the morning. The drones are launched from makeshift platforms – sections of low-traffic roadways used as improvised launch pads during nighttime operations.

The preparation process for long-range kamikaze UAVs Defense Express New Imagery Offers a Rare Glimpse into the Preparation and Launch of Long-Range Kamikaze Drones Targeting russian Infrastructure
The preparation process for long-range kamikaze UAVs / Photo credit: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

It is likely that during large-scale attacks on russian critical infrastructure, numerous launch sites are activated simultaneously. The photos show only a few drones at a single location, leaving open questions about the use of additional control equipment, as such details are not visible in the images.

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