Liutyi
| AN-196 Liutyi | |
|---|---|
| Type | Loitering munition |
| Place of origin | Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Antonov ASTC |
| Designed | October 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Antonov ASTC |
| Unit cost | $200,000[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 250–300 kg (550–660 lb) |
| Length | 4.4 m (14 ft) |
| Wingspan | 6.7 m (22 ft) |
| Warhead weight | 50–75 kg (110–165 lb) |
| Engine | 4-valve air-cooled box engine |
Operational range | 1,000–2,000 km (620–1,240 mi) |
Guidance system | Artificial intelligence,[2] satellite navigation,[3] INS[3] |
The AN-196 Liutyi[4] (Ukrainian: Лютий, lit. 'fierce/furious',[5] also spelled Lyutyi[6] or Liutiy[3] is a Ukrainian one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (OWA-UAV) developed by Ukroboronprom in October 2022 as an analogue to the Russian-fielded Shahed 136 loitering munition.[4]
Service history
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Liutyi has seen use by Ukraine in attacks on Russian territory, including oil refineries, industrial facilities, and military airfields.[7]
On 25 November 2024, the Ukrainian military website Militarnyi reported that a Liutyi fitted with an upgraded 75 kg warhead was used to strike a Russian oil refinery in Saratov, at a range of more than 600 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.[8]
On 5 July 2025, at least two UAVs were used to attack VNIIR-Progress, which manufactures various military components for Su-34 fighter-bombers, air defence systems such as the S-300, T-90M and T-14 tanks, and submarines. The attacked facility was located in Cheboksary, about 975 km from the Ukrainian border.[7]
On 13 October 2025, the New York Times reported another Liutyi strike against the Saratov refinery, including the fact that the strike commander's call sign was “Casper”.[9] Call sign “Casper” is used by the Commander of the 1st Battalion of Ukraine's 14th Regiment of Unmanned Aerial Systems (a unit of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine).[10]
On 31 October 2025, the Associated Press reported another Liutyi strike against Russian targets, including the fact that the strike commander’s call sign was “Fidel”.[11] Call sign “Fidel” is used by the Co-Founder of the 1st Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces (formerly known as the 14th Regiment of Unmanned Aerial Systems.[10]
On December 14 2025, the Kyiv Post reported a Liutyi strike against a Lukoil-operated offshore oil platform in the Caspian Sea.[12]
Operators
See also
References
- ^ "Ukrainian Peklo drone-missiles will be cheaper than Liutyi drones". Militarnyi. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ "CNN: Liutyi UAVs are AI-guided". Militarnyi. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ a b c Tuzov, Bohdan (19 May 2024). "Hello 'Liutiy' UAV – Goodbye Russian Oil Refineries". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ a b Khomenko, Ivan (25 November 2024). "Ukrainian AN-196 Liutyi Drone, Dubbed 'Ukrainian Shahed,' Receives Major Upgrade". United24 Media. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ Zoria, Yuri (23 March 2024). "Meet "Liutyi," Ukraine's homegrown drone behind strikes on Russian oil refineries". Euromaidan Press. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ "Inside the Secret World of Ukraine's Long-Range 'Lyutyi' Drone Strikes on Russia". Kyiv Post. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ a b "To może być nokaut! Ważna rosyjska fabryka w ogniu". TVP Info (in Polish). 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ^ "Liutyi Attack Drone Upgraded for Strikes with Increased Payload". Militarnyi. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ Varenikova, Maria (2025-10-13). "To Inflict Pain on Russians, Ukraine's Drones Zero In on Oil Refineries". New York Times. Archived from the original on 2025-10-13. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
- ^ a b "14th UAS Regiment". Retrieved 2025-10-18.
- ^ Gatopouloa, Derek; Yurchuk, Volodymyr (2025-10-31). "Built in the shadows and launched at night, Ukraine's long-range drones are rattling Russia". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2025-11-01. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
- ^ Struck, Julia (2025-12-14). "Drone Attacks Hit Oil Depots and Refineries Across Russia and Occupied Crimea". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 2025-12-14.