Russia has entered the “dragon drone” fray by launching its own thermite-spewing aerial weapons over Ukrainian troops. The development comes about a week after videos first surfaced on social media showing Ukraine deploying the modified unmanned aerial vehicles over Russian troops stationed in tree lines and trenches.
Thermite, which has been used primarily in grenades and artillery shells, among other applications, is a combination of oxidized iron and aluminum that burns at about 4,440 degrees Fahrenheit. The drones attack by spreading the compound over tree lines and other foliage under which an enemy is taking cover, as well as in trenches. Burning away growth reduces the space where the enemy can hide, increasing their exposure. By deploying it where troops are hiding, including in trenches, thermite can kill anything exposed to it. It can also choke off oxygen, burning those not in direct contact with it.
A video published on Telegram by Moscow politician and military journalist Andrey Medvedev shows Russian troops deploying their dragon drone. It is the first such video to surface. It shows a soldier attaching a canister of thermite to a first-person view (FPV) drone. It is then launched, reportedly towards a Ukrainian position.
The video then shows an operator’s view of the drone above the tree line, followed by footage of another drone spraying the flaming substance over Ukrainian troops.
“Meanwhile, Russian drone pilots (actually hooligans) from the Omut Group are filming the third season of ‘House of the Dragon’ somewhere in the vastness of the” special military operations, Medvedev wrote in a message full of references to the dragon experts “Game of Thrones‘ television series. “A man in a mask plays Prince Daemon Targaryen. A helicopter with a thermite charge plays the dragon. A Ukrainian stronghold plays Harrenhal Castle in the landing.”
Unlike the Ukrainian dragon drones captured on video, the Russian version mostly emitted a shower of sparks, leaving little visible damage.
“Jokes aside, war is increasingly becoming a drone war,” he wrote. “And burning drones are increasingly being captured on video. At this point, the result of the drone’s work is not very clear. But in the end, the landing burned out completely. Just like Prince Daemon said. ‘Dreams did not make us kings. Dragons did.’”
Russia has a long history of using thermite weapons. In 2012, it fired cluster munitions filled with the compound on targets in Syria. It has also used thermite devices in Ukraine since the early days of total war. You can see such an example in the following video.
According to Ukraine, they already had thermite weapons before the dragon drones Human Rights Watch.
The organization said it “reviewed visual evidence showing at least 82 attacks involving ground-fired incendiary weapons in Ukraine between February 2022 and April 2023.”
These attacks took place in seven Ukrainian regions.
“At this time, it is not possible to determine responsibility for specific attacks, but Russia and Ukraine both possess the same types of incendiary weapons, including 122mm Grad rockets that fire incendiary weapons,” the organization said.
Several Ukrainian Telegram channels deplored the new Russian coat of arms.
“Another reminder that the enemy learns very quickly!” The Telegram channel Brothers in Arms wroteThe Russians “have already copied our Dragon drone and are now setting fire to our positions.”
“The Russians are copying and learning quickly, and the battlefield is increasingly resembling a drone war,” the Sofa Assault Brigade Telegram Channel Criticized.
The video below shows a Ukrainian dragon drone flying into a Russian tree line.
Evidence emerged last week that Russia was working on its own thermite-dropping drone, but it appeared at the time that it would have much more limited effects on the battlefield.
A video posted by the Ukrainian Landmines and Coffee Telegram channel claimed to show such an attempt. It used “ignition elements from a 120 mm mortar mine”, Landminds and Coffee saidThe mortar shells contain thermite.
The 62-second video appeared to show a demonstration of the technology. The drone hovered a few feet above the ground, emitted a torrent of flames, and likely dropped thermite-containing submunitions. They created a small fire when they hit the ground. The video, which you can watch below, ended with the drone rising higher before crashing to the ground in flames.
This new application of drone weapons, now being deployed by both sides in combat, differs from previous applications because it has a long range in a way that no other can, while also being incredibly accurate and posing zero risk to the operator. A single drone can inflict immense damage during a thermite-spewing run, compared to the much more limited effects usually associated with small armed drones. The psychological impact of this weapon is also substantial.
That Russia is now using dragon drones is no surprise. This war has served as a real laboratory for weapons development, mainly dronesand both parties learn quickly from the other.
The lessons learned extend far beyond Ukraine. Militaries around the world have taken notice of this new dynamic on the battlefield, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see other countries develop their own dragon drones.
Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com