By: Eric Liu

During August 2023, Ukraine’s special forces used new drone technology allowing them to track behind enemy lines, which can help aid them in the war against Russia.

Russia has laid out many mines throughout territories in Ukraine that they currently occupy. Ukraine has been using new long-range drones to bypass those mines, allowing them to crash into many important buildings in Russia. The drones that are being used as kamikaze drones have been able to bring the war into Russia.

Some drones that they have been using include the “Beaver” drone. The drone has some very unique parts that allow them to be so efficient to use. Tom Porter, a writer for Business Insider wrote, “The drones have an unusual shape, with an engine at the back end and a second pair of smaller wings near the front.”(Business Insider).

The “Beaver” drone resembles a miniature plane but with 2 sets of wings, one at the middle and one at the front. The drone even includes 3 wheels at the bottom, most likely used like an actual plane to help it launch. With all these unique parts it allows the plane to quickly and suddenly make changes in its altitude to help evade air defenses that the buildings in Russia may have.

Another special thing about this drone is that it is a very long-range drone. The drones are able to reach about 620 miles, from wherever it was launched. With the extremely long range, Ukraine can launch the drone from its borders to reach important landmarks that they couldn’t have attacked before.

With these drones, Ukraine can finally destroy some anti-missile towers in Russia. Isabelle Khurshudyan and company writers for the Washington Post wrote about the missiles, and they wrote, “crashed into one of the antennas, detonating on contact.”(The Washington Post)

The drones that Ukraine deployed crashed into the antennas causing the signal to break. Without a signal, the anti-missile technology that Russia installed wouldn’t be able to work anymore. Using the missiles that were sent by the U.S., Ukraine swiftly destroyed the tower. Without the help of the drone, the missiles would’ve missed.

Ukraine’s special division called the Alphas has recently jump shifted towards using the new drone tech. Why? Isabelle Khurshudyan and company wrote about the Alphas, and said, “ But all have turned their focus to drones lately as their targets became more difficult to reach.”(The Washington Post)

Ukraine’s Alpha squad used to be a sniper squad, but with Russia hastily improving their defenses. It has become harder and harder to accurately hit targets. So they decided to use drones which were more efficient, safer, and way easier to control.

With the emergence of new drone technology, the “Beaver” is a huge contributor to helping Ukraine in the war, from helping Ukraine hit targets that they couldn’t do before, from it even being a reliable, and safer alternative to using snipers. These drones provide a huge advantage for Ukraine, helping them to even out the playing field of the war.