russian sources have released a video showing a Ukrainian strike UAV dropping what russian war correspondents claim to be an FAB-250M-54 on a ground target in russia’s Bryansk region while evading interception.
These strike UAVs operate at low altitude during nighttime to reach their targets, recalling tactics from World War II—specifically, the Soviet 46th Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, whose female pilots became known as the Night Witches. russian propagandists have actively exploited their image in their victory cult.
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The original Night Witches flew U-2 (Po-2) aircraft armed with two FAB-100 bombs. Similarly, they conducted low-altitude night raids over enemy territory, remaining undetected while striking Nazi rear positions. Now, their modern unmanned counterparts are destroying russian forces behind their lines.
A russian mobile fire group attempted to shoot down the Ukrainian strike UAV using assault rifles with thermal sights and heavy machine guns but failed. At the end of the video, a russian soldier with the callsign Pegasus reports: "The drone headed north."
The UAV in question is most likely a single-engine SkyRanger in the Swift version, converted into a strike drone rather than an A-22, as claimed by the media. This identification is based on its thick, box-like tail section, whereas the A-22 has a narrow, rounded one.
A special mount with an optical targeting station is installed on the drone for guidance and control. These UAVs have been in use for quite some time, with photos of the first downed units appearing as early as April 2024. Among them was a unit marked with four tally marks, similar to those painted on aircraft after completing combat missions.
The SkyRanger has impressive specifications. Depending on the version, it can carry up to 300 kg of payload, with 40-60 kg allocated to fuel. Its flight range reaches 720 km. The minimum configuration of the SkyRanger Swift costs around $53,000, making it a relatively affordable strike UAV.
Previously, these drones were equipped with OFAB-100-120 bombs. However, Ukrainian sources recently published photos showing them armed with an FAB-250M-54 and a 120-mm mortar shell, stating that such munitions are used to bomb enemy targets in russia’s Bryansk region. Given the explosion's power in the video and russian sources claiming the drop of an FAB-250M-54, this is likely the case.
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