Ukraine approves high-speed Baton drones for battlefield deployment

Ukraine's Defense Ministry has officially approved the domestically-produced Baton ("a loaf of bread" in Ukrainian) drone for use by the Armed Forces, the ministry announced on Feb. 10.

The Baton drones are designed to meet military requirements for simplicity and reliability in difficult battlefield conditions. Built on frames of various sizes, they boast high-speed capabilities, allowing them to catch up with and strike targets, according to the ministry.

The new drones can operate effectively in extreme weather, including freezing temperatures and intense heat, the ministry said.

Ukraine has prioritized drone warfare since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, heavily investing in aerial, naval, and ground-based unmanned systems.

On Feb. 9, the Defense Ministry launched the "Drone Line," an initiative to integrate drone technology further into front-line operations.

Kyiv has also developed long-range missile-drone hybrids, such as the Palianytsia and Peklo hybrids, which feature turbojet engines as alternatives to cruise missiles. President Volodymyr Zelensky has set a production target of at least 30,000 long-range drones in 2025.

Ukrainian officials claimed the Palianytsia took one and a half years to go from blueprints and plans, to its first successful combat use. In early December 2024, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that a lightweight missile-drone hybrid has entered serial production.

While some details of Peklo's capabilities remain undisclosed for security reasons, President Volodymyr Zelensky described the weapon as a "fundamentally new type." It has a range of 700 kilometers (430 miles) and a speed of 700 km/h (430 mph).

Drones reportedly target key Russian oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai

The refinery, located roughly 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the front line, is a strategic logistics hub for diesel fuel and aviation kerosene used by Russian troops, Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, claimed.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy