This month, 1,000 people chose to support the Kyiv Independent. Can we count on you, too?
Become a member
Skip to content
Edit post

Debris shows Russia targeted Kyiv with new unidentified drone

by Abbey Fenbert July 21, 2024 3:03 AM 1 min read
An Air Force update says that Ukraine's air defense shot down "1 UAV (unspecified type)" on July 20, 2024. (Air Force / Facebook)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Russian forces targeted Kyiv with a new unidentified drone overnight on July 19-20, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

In its morning update, the Air Force on July 20 reported that Ukrainian air defense units shot down 12 Shahed drones and "one UAV of unspecified type."

Images of the downed drone circulating on social media indicate that the new weapon does not resemble the Shahed-136 typically launched by Russian forces. The drone was reported to be flying at a low altitude of 20-30 meters.

The news outlet Defense Express obtained additional photographs and details about the unidentified drone. The UAV has "a possible wingspan of more than 4 meters, beam plumage, a push rotor, and a square fuselage," Defense Express reported, citing its sources.

Images of the drone show some similarities to the Russian ZALA 421-20 reconnaissance drone, but types of drones are not widespread and no longer appear in ZALA's current catalog, Defense Express reported.

The low altitude of the drone shot down in Kyiv also indicates that it was a kamikaze drone, Defense Express said.

The drone's fragments are reportedly still being investigated.

Media: Number of Russian drones on front lines has doubled in 3 months
The sources in the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces told the outlet that Ukrainian efforts to counter drones by electronic means were becoming less effective as Moscow’s forces adapted to changes in technology.
Let’s see how far we can go?
We’ve been amazed by your support. We’ve reached our initial goal of finding 1,000 new paying members. We still have till the end of our birthday campaign — with more support, we can do even more good journalism. Over 13,000 people are standing behind us. Can we count on you, too?
Show us support this birthday month
Become a member
visa masterCard americanExpress

News Feed

11:35 AM

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 4, injure 23 over past day.

Russian forces launched 110 Shahed-type drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said. Fifty-two were shot down, 50 were lost across Ukraine thanks to electronic warfare countermeasures, and six flew to Belarus and Russia, according to the statement.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.