SSU Interceptor Drone Takes Down Russian Orion Strike UAV

Drone operators of the Special Group “Alpha” of the Security Service of Ukraine intercepted the Orion, a large medium-altitude reconnaissance and strike UAV. This is the largest target intercepted so far by Ukraine’s drone air defense system.

The interception video was released as part of a compilation showing Russian equipment destroyed by SSU operators.

According to the footage, the Russian drone was equipped with pylons for carrying guided weapons, although no weapons are visible in the video. The UAV was likely returning from a mission when the Ukrainian drone intercepted it.

The SSU drone struck the Russian UAV in the nose section, which houses various electronics, including control and communication systems. Therefore, even a small interceptor could inflict critical damage to the Russian drone. However, due to the lack of objective verification, it is impossible to confirm the complete destruction of the target.

Спецпризначенці СБУ «мінісують» дрони та техніку ворога

Лише за два тижні воїни ЦСО «А» СБУ уразили:

▪️ 16 танків
▪️ 21 ББМ
▪️ 75 артилерійських систем і РСЗВ
▪️ 577 одиниць автотранспорту
▪️ та багато іншого.

Хочеш працювати з нами? Заповнюй анкету ➡️ https://t.co/WofRZZpzEq pic.twitter.com/csfaMxcJVC

— СБ України (@ServiceSsu) July 26, 2025

According to the video, SSU operators also intercepted two Forpost-R tactical drones that were carrying out strike missions with suspended aviation weapons – targets that were reported destroyed at the end of June.

Additionally, the video shows numerous clips of strikes on armored and automotive vehicles, as well as Russian positions and personnel. Overall, it was reported that over two weeks, the soldiers of the SSU’s Special Group “Alpha” struck the following targets using attack drones and other firepower:

• 16 tanks
• 21 armored fighting vehicles
• 75 artillery systems and multiple rocket launchers
• 22 air defense systems
• 17 electronic warfare/reconnaissance systems
• 577 vehicles
• 80 UAVs and 308 communication antennas
• 789 enemy positions and fortifications
• 15 ammunition depots and 7 fuel and lubricant storage facilities

Orion Strike Drone

The Orion UAV has a wingspan of 16.3 meters, a length of 8 meters, and a height of 3.2 meters. The maximum takeoff weight of the Russian Orion UAV is approximately 1 ton.

Its maximum flight duration is up to 30 hours, and it can operate at an altitude of around 8,000 meters. It is reported that the drone can carry a combat payload weighing up to 200 kilograms and has a combat range of 250 kilometers.

The development of the Orion system started in 2011 by the Kronstadt Group of Companies. The first prototype for testing was built in 2015. The initial Orion attack drones were delivered for trial use in April 2020, and in August of the same year, a contract was signed to start serial production.

The Orion UAV can be equipped with various types of munitions, with the capability to carry up to four hardpoints on the airframe.

The munitions include:

• Kh-50 guided small-sized air-to-surface missile
• KAB-20 guided small-sized aviation bomb
• UPAB-50 guided gliding bomb (with a warhead derived from the BM-21)
• KAB-50 guided small-sized aviation bomb (with a warhead derived from the BM-21)
• FAB-50 unguided small-sized aviation bomb
• Kh-BPLA missile

The Orion UAV can also be used to launch the S8000 Banderol small-sized cruise missile. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has reportedly lost only nine UAVs of this type.

At the end of May, a massive strike by Ukrainian drones caused a fire at the Kronstadt plant near Moscow. Ukrainian drones targeted the final assembly workshop of a UAV that was built in 2022.

This facility is where, among other things, Orion drones and the new Banderol cruise missiles are produced.