Ukrainian forces successfully shot down a next-generation Russian drone, the Orion, during an operation in the Russian region of Kursk. The attack was carried out using a Strela-10 (SA-13 Gopher) short-range air defense system from the Cold War era.
+ Click here to watch the video
The action was carried out by the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, which shared a video confirming the achievement on their official Telegram channel.
The message accompanying the video detailed the Ukrainian crew’s precision in hitting the Orion UAV, a significant threat due to its reconnaissance and attack capabilities.
+ Czech company unveils new patrol vehicle Hector
+ USA vs Russia: Video Shows Models Competing to See Who is the Tallest
“Unmanned aerial vehicles of this type are dangerous not only for conducting aerial reconnaissance but also because they can carry up to four air-to-surface missiles capable of hitting ground targets,” said the Ukrainian paratroopers.
The Orion UAV is one of the latest additions to Russia’s unmanned aerial fleet, developed by the Kronshtadt Group. Classified as a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone, the Orion is designed for extended surveillance missions and is capable of conducting air-to-ground attacks.
The operation demonstrates the effectiveness of Ukraine’s air defenses, even when using Soviet-era systems, in their ongoing fight against Russian forces.
Source: defence-blog.com. Photo and video: X @Archer83Able. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.