Ukrainian forces develop "dragon drones" to tackle Russian troop concealment in forested areas, using thermite canisters that emit 4,400-degree molten metal.
Rise of the "Dragon Drones" in Ukraine
Rise of the "Dragon Drones" in Ukraine
Ukraine utilizes innovative thermite-equipped drones to combat Russian tactics.
In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, innovative military strategies continue to emerge as both sides adapt to the shifting battlefield landscape. Ukrainian forces, confronted with Russian troops effectively using forested cover for strategic advances, have turned to drone technology enhanced with historical elements for a modern twist—a development that has significantly altered tactics on the ground.
These drones, outfitted with canisters capable of discharging thermite—a material generating intense heat—are now being deployed by soldiers in the Donetsk region. "Dragon drones," as the Ukrainian military has termed them, rain down burning metal that reaches temperatures of 4,400 degrees Fahrenheit, effectively disrupting enemy defensive positions and exposing troops and equipment concealed below. The thermite reaction, a product of aluminum and iron oxide igniting, is not new; its application in welding and warfare dates back over a century.
As a military maneuver, thermite was historically effective during the world wars and has been more recently adapted for artillery and grenades in Ukraine. Now, in the form of these updated aerial weapons, it targets the vegetation that Russian soldiers rely on for cover. By setting the forest canopy alight, it forces Russian troops into the open, making them vulnerable to further Ukrainian offensives.
Captain Viacheslav, a commander in the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade’s strike drone unit known as "Dovbush’s Hornets," noted that previous efforts to displace Russian forces from their heavily vegetated cover had consumed considerable resources. However, with the drone innovation, Ukrainian forces are establishing an upper hand in an area marked by dense topographical challenges. Such advancements demonstrate the continuous adaptation of military strategies in the face of persistent conflict, blending old technologies with cutting-edge applications to gain an advantage on the battlefield.
These drones, outfitted with canisters capable of discharging thermite—a material generating intense heat—are now being deployed by soldiers in the Donetsk region. "Dragon drones," as the Ukrainian military has termed them, rain down burning metal that reaches temperatures of 4,400 degrees Fahrenheit, effectively disrupting enemy defensive positions and exposing troops and equipment concealed below. The thermite reaction, a product of aluminum and iron oxide igniting, is not new; its application in welding and warfare dates back over a century.
As a military maneuver, thermite was historically effective during the world wars and has been more recently adapted for artillery and grenades in Ukraine. Now, in the form of these updated aerial weapons, it targets the vegetation that Russian soldiers rely on for cover. By setting the forest canopy alight, it forces Russian troops into the open, making them vulnerable to further Ukrainian offensives.
Captain Viacheslav, a commander in the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade’s strike drone unit known as "Dovbush’s Hornets," noted that previous efforts to displace Russian forces from their heavily vegetated cover had consumed considerable resources. However, with the drone innovation, Ukrainian forces are establishing an upper hand in an area marked by dense topographical challenges. Such advancements demonstrate the continuous adaptation of military strategies in the face of persistent conflict, blending old technologies with cutting-edge applications to gain an advantage on the battlefield.
