The Russian company KB Valkyriya has introduced the RD-8 ‘mother’ drone, capable of being controlled via Starlink or mobile networks, in addition to conventional radio channels.
According to the developer’s website, other models in the line, RD-7, RD-10, and RD-12, also feature this technology, allowing the Russian army to operate drones behind Ukrainian lines, where Starlink is available, unlike in Russia.
The drones are described as multi-purpose platforms, capable of serving as reconnaissance drones, ‘mother’ drones, or repeaters for interceptors.
The RD-8 has a wingspan of 3.8 meters, electric hybrid engines, and a 5-liter fuel tank, allowing it to fly up to 150 km at altitudes of up to 3 km. It carries two FPV drones with 3 kg warheads each and is equipped with day and night cameras with zoom and thermal imaging. The largest model, the RD-12, has a wingspan of 5 meters, a flight endurance of up to 20 hours, and a range of 800 km, and can also carry two FPV drones and up to 20 kg of payload in the reconnaissance version.
Access to Starlink in Russia is restricted, but terminals are acquired through the black market, mainly via Telegram, with delivery to Europe and the UAE. Users share tips on registering and using the devices without restrictions, including using Ukrainian data to bypass limitations, as activation in Russia can result in a block within 90 days.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: Telegram – VictoryDrones | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
‼️ The Russians showcased a Starlink-enabled drone at an exhibition.
The RD-8 is positioned as a UAV-mother and an aerial repeater. It is claimed to be capable of shooting down other UAVs and engaging ground targets.
In addition to Starlink, the drone can be controlled via… pic.twitter.com/y3vPrSi5hW
— MAKS 25 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) September 6, 2025
