Magyar’s Birds Shot Down Russian Orion UAV With Interceptor Drone

The Topot team from the 414th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade shot down a Russian Orion strike and reconnaissance drone using an interceptor UAV.

Robert Brovdi, commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, confirmed the report.

It was the first Orion intercepted by the 414th Brigade, which since the start of the full-scale invasion has downed about 1,500 enemy drones. Most were Orlan, ZALA, SuperCam, Shahed, and Lancet models, along with larger Merlin and Forpost UAVs.

According to OSINT analysts, geolocation data placed the downed drone near the settlement of Tyotkino in Russia’s Kursk region, at coordinates 51.2862, 34.3813.

The interception was initially carried out by drones from the 95th Air Assault Brigade, after which the Magyar unit finished off the target.

Russian forces have used Orion drones infrequently, due to their limited numbers and vulnerability to Ukraine’s air defense systems.

In July 2025, operators from the SSU’s Central Air Defense Unit “A” intercepted another Orion drone, described as the largest UAV destroyed by Ukraine’s drone-based air defenses.

The Orion program was launched in 2011 at the Kronstadt Group. The first prototype was built in 2015. Initial units were delivered for testing in April 2020, and a production contract was signed that August.

The UAV can carry different types of munitions, with up to four hardpoints on the airframe.

The Orion has a wingspan of about 16 meters, a length of roughly 8 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of about 1.2 tons, and a payload capacity of up to 200 kilograms. It can fly 1,000-1,500 kilometers, stay airborne for up to 24 hours, and reach altitudes of up to 7 kilometers.

Declared armaments include Kh-50 guided missiles and KAB-20 guided bombs, as well as:

• UPAB-50 guided glide bombs (with a BM-21 warhead)
• KAB-50 guided small bombs (with a BM-21 warhead)
• FAB-50 unguided small bombs
• Kh-BPLA missiles

The drone can also launch the S8000 Banderol cruise missile. Since the start of the invasion, Russia is confirmed to have lost nine Orions.

In late May, Ukrainian drones struck the Kronstadt plant in the Moscow region, setting fire to the final assembly workshop, which had been completed in 2022.

The facility produces Orion drones and the newer Banderol cruise missiles.