Kathrine Frich
It’s designed to blend in with nature and confuse observers.
It’s designed to blend in with nature and confuse observers.
Bird-Like Drones in Ukraine
Ukrainian officials have reported the appearance of mysterious drones resembling birds in both form and flight.
According to United24 Media, these avian-style drones are now being used by Russian forces, a tactic aimed at evading detection from both radar and the naked eye.
Not Just a Rumor: One Crashes on Ukrainian Soil
At least one of these stealthy drones has either been shot down or crashed in Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Images posted online show a drone with features mimicking a bird’s beak, tail, and curved wings, designed to blend in with nature and confuse observers.
Twin Electric Engines and Stealth Features
Initial Ukrainian assessments suggest the drones run on twin electric motors, making them quieter and harder to detect.
Their dark color and reduced noise signature add to the challenge of identifying and intercepting them, especially under cloud cover or at dusk.
Black Paint and Silent Flight
Painting drones black isn’t new for Russia, they’ve used the same tactic with Shahed drones to reduce visibility.
These bird-like UAVs follow the same strategy, helping them avoid visual and acoustic detection and delaying response times during aerial engagements.
A Concept Years in the Making
United24 Media notes that Russia has been experimenting with bird-shaped drones since at least 2018.
Prototypes of owl- and falcon-shaped UAVs were first showcased at military expos and were said to be built for reconnaissance and targeting.
Those concepts now appear to be in live combat use.
Ukraine Faces a New Challenge on the Drone Front
While Ukraine has successfully downed thousands of Russian drones through electronic warfare and tactical dogfights in the skies, this new wave of biologically camouflaged drones presents a fresh challenge to air defense teams.
Hidden Threats: Chemical Weapons Still in Use
Adding to the growing list of battlefield concerns, Dutch intelligence recently revealed that Russia continues to deploy banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, including munitions filled with the toxic agent chloropicrin.
The unconventional drone tactics only deepen worries over Russia’s evolving warfare strategy.
