Unknown Shahed-Like UAV That Attacked Targets in Russia Identified as Ukrainian MICH 2000

The mysterious Shahed-like unmanned aerial vehicle previously spotted over Russia has been identified as the Ukrainian-made MICH 2000.

The information was reported by Oboronka, whose journalists visited a Ukrainian UAV manufacturing facility.

Previously, the aircraft was mistakenly identified as the ZTK-150, Jabbar-150, or Troy T20 due to its distinctive forward canards.

In particular, these drones attacked the Russian strategic aviation base Engels-2 in the Saratov region on the night of July 16.

Satellite imagery later confirmed the destruction of a Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber-missile carrier. The strike completely destroyed the aircraft’s rear section, making it beyond repair.

Earlier, on the morning of July 4, MICH 2000 drones attacked an optical-mechanical plant in the city of Azov, Rostov region.

The largest known use of the drones occurred during a strike on the port of Ust-Luga, when more than 20 UAVs reached their targets simultaneously.

The history of the drone began in late 2023, after Ukrainian engineers traveled to China to purchase civilian unmanned systems. Following this, they decided to establish their own production in Ukraine.

The first test flights of the MICH 2000 took place in the summer of 2024. The first three aircraft were deployed on combat missions in October of the same year, after which the project entered serial production.

The UAV is currently operated by the Security Service of Ukraine’s Special Operations Center “Alpha.” Its personnel have already launched thousands of the systems against Russian military targets in the rear and in temporarily occupied territories.

The MICH 2000 is produced in eight configurations designed for medium- and long-range missions of up to 2,000 km. Depending on the configuration, the UAV can carry a warhead weighing between 25 and 60 kg.

The basic version costs $48,000. Operators can choose the type of communications system, including Starlink, as well as the fuel tank capacity and terminal guidance system.

The company has established domestic production of flying-wing airframes, its own engines, warheads, initiation boards, and rocket boosters, achieving up to 85% localization.

The facility currently produces around 6,000 UAVs annually, with plans to scale production to 10,000 units. The company is also developing a new MICH+ version featuring a 70-kg warhead and a range of 600 km.