Ukraine Develops Long-Range Shahed-Like Drone Batyar

Ukraine has developed a new multi-purpose strike drone, the Batyar, with a range of more than 800 kilometers.

This UAV is manufactured by the Ukrainian company DeepStrikeTech, which told Militarnyi journalists details about this drone.

Initially designed as a loitering munition for deep strikes, the Batyar’s role has since expanded.

Depending on its payload and software, it can now function as a kamikaze drone, a decoy, or a frontline bomber.

The drone weighs about 60 kilograms and is powered by a gasoline engine. In its long-range configuration, it can carry an 18-kilogram warhead.

One of the key development goals was to ensure the drone could be launched from a catapult or vehicle without the need for dedicated infrastructure or specialized launch equipment.

Engineers claim Batyar can maintain its flight path even when damaged, particularly during its final dive toward the target.

While its airframe bears a visual resemblance to the Iranian-designed Shahed drone used by Russian forces, DeepStrikeTech emphasized that the Batyar’s aerodynamics were designed independently, based on Western technical documentation.

Shahed-like drones

The concept of “Shahed-like” drones dates back to 1994, when Germany developed the Drone Anti Radar (DAR), intended to detect and engage enemy radar systems.

DAR was also used to simulate larger aircraft and serve as a decoy.

DAR had a take-off weight of 110 kg, reached speeds of up to 250 km/h and could stay in the air for up to three hours. The program was ultimately canceled, and the drone became a museum exhibit.

In addition to the Batyar, Ukraine has also deployed the domestically produced Shahed-like UAS SETH drones in 2025.

The SETH drones are fully automated and designed for ease of use.

These smaller Shahed-style UAVs are in use with the units such as the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov and are reported to be operating in the Toretsk sector.