Baba Yaga is the nickname for a number of Ukrainian heavy bomber drones used in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[1][2] There are several models which can be referred as Baba Yaga, such as Aerorozvidka R18, Kazhan [uk], Nemesis and Vampire [uk].[3][2][4]

Nickname

"Baba Yaga" is a reference to the Slavic mythological creature, Baba Yaga,[1] a supernatural witch who flies around in a cauldron or mortar.[5] In August 2023, The Daily Beast reported that Chechen soldiers of the Russian armed forces claimed the drone had claws and could abduct soldiers.[6]

  • Drone calibration
    Drone calibration
  • In flight
    In flight
  • Suspended bombs
    Suspended bombs
  • Operators
    Operators
  • Video of destruction by Russian FPV quadcopter

Construction

The drone is a large hexacopter (6-rotor) drone.[7][8] It is equipped with an infrared (thermal imaging) camera and able to carry up to a 15-kilogram (33 lb) rocket warhead.[1][2]

Baba Yaga originated from an agricultural octocopter.[9] Russian-state media reported use of the drones in the eastern Donbas was based on heavy agricultural drones, and were nicknamed Baba Yaga after "a ferocious old woman."[9]

Use

Baba Yaga was used both as a bomber deploying "mortar-sized munitions" and also as a "mother-ship" drone equipped with a signal repeater, anti-jamming equipment, batteries, and directional antennas.[9] Its ability to function as a signal repeater extended the battery life and range of secondary drones.[10] During the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, the drones have been used primarily at night.[11]

Capture

In December 2023, it was reported that Russian forces had captured a Ukrainian Baba Yaga drone operating through the Starlink satellite network.[12] On 27 June 2024, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its troops use the drones in bombing and cargo delivery missions.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Axe, David. "Baba Yaga Is A Giant Ukrainian Drone That Drops Bombs At Night". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  2. ^ a b c Panella, Chris. "Ukraine says its Vampire bomber drone is such a nightmare for Russian troops they call it the 'Baba Yaga,' a mythical evil creature". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  3. ^ Hambling, David. "Unseen, Unsung And Underrated: Ukraine's Night Bombers". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  4. ^ ""Baba Yaga" destroys the occupiers in Zaporizhzhia: how a Ukrainian drone keeps the enemy at bay". West Observer. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  5. ^ Harding, Luke (2023-05-12). "'We'll get there': the Ukrainian drone unit quietly knocking out Russian targets". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  6. ^ Quinn, Allison (2023-08-22). "Chechen Fighters: Drones With 'Claws' Abduct Russian Troops". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  7. ^ "Baba Yaga Drones Are Delivering Fear to Russian Occupiers in Ukraine - Technology Org". 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  8. ^ "Russian army's nightmare: Ukrainian serviceman tells about Vampire hexacopter". global.espreso.tv. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  9. ^ a b c Korshak, Stefan (2024-02-29). "Ukrainian Drone Swarms Controlled by 'Baba Yaga' Robot Aircraft, Russian Sources Claim". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  10. ^ "Ukrainian forces invent innovative method to attack Russian rear facilities — video". english.nv.ua. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  11. ^ "Ukraine's Vampire Drones Terrorize Moscow's Forces". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. 2024-02-05. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  12. ^ "Russians Reprogramming Captured Ukrainian Starlink-Controlled Baba Yaga Drones". www.defensemirror.com. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  13. ^ "Операторы БЛА ГрВ "Восток" используют тяжелые промышленные коптеры на Южно-Донецком направлении". ВПК.name (in Russian). 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baba_Yaga_(aircraft)
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