Russia Attacks Kyiv With Unidentified Drone With X-Shaped Wings

Russian forces used an unidentified drone with X-shaped wings to strike Kyiv. The drone crashed in the city center near the Independence Monument.

The strike was reported by Suspilne, which released footage from the capital. According to Defense Express, this is a Lancet loitering munition. The photo shows the characteristic X-shaped wings and a pusher propeller.

Unusual markings in the form of colored circles were found on the drone’s fuselage, which were previously seen on Russian V2U drones. It is believed that such markings help drones stay in formation during a group attack.

The question of this model’s flight range remains open, as the distance from the Russian border to the center of Kyiv exceeds 200 km. The developers of the Lancet have stated a maximum range of up to 130 km. Experts also suggest the use of mobile communications or mesh modems to control the drone.

Advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Defence Serhii ‘Flash’ Beskrestnov rejects Defense Express’s version. He asserts that the Lancet cannot reach Kyiv because the drones “do not have sufficient battery capacity or radio control capabilities.”

In his opinion, the enemy dropped debris from a Shahed-type drone as part of an information operation.

It should be noted that the Lancet has a payload weighing 3–5 kg. The Russians likely reduced it in favor of additional batteries so that the drone could reach the capital.