ZALA Lancet attack drone. © Marina Lystseva/TASS
The Russian military has hit three short-range air defense systems of Kiev forces in the special military operation zone with Lancet loitering munitions.
Video footage that surfaced online on May 6 showed the pinpoint strikes, which targeted Soviet-made 9K33 Osa and 9K35 Strela-10 systems as well as an American-made AN/TWQ-1 Avenger system, which was destroyed in Ukraine for the first time.
Ukraine inherited more than 120 9K33 Osa and more than 70 Strela-10 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. More systems of these types were reportedly supplied to Kiev forces from Eastern European countries and other sources after the start of the Russian special military operation. Kiev also received at least 12 AN/TWQ-1 Avengers from the United States.
The three short-range air defense systems were targeted by an upgraded version of the Lancet, known as the Izdeliye-51. This version, which features extended wings, has an endurance of 40 minutes and is armed with a warhead weighing three kilograms.
The loitering munition, which was developed by Russia’s ZALA Aero Group, is equipped with a GLONASS-aided inertial navigation system, a laser ranging system and an electro-optical system that can detect, track and lock on static and moving targets.
The small radar cross-section and minimal infrared signature of the electric-powered loitering munition makes it very difficult to intercept, even for short-range air defense systems which are designed to counter small aerial targets flying at lower altitudes.
The Russian military has used Lancet loitering munitions to destroy or damage at least 28 long, medium and short-range air defense systems of Kiev forces since the start of the special operation in Ukraine last year.
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