Between April and May 2023, Russian and Ukrainian forces intercepted several fixed-wing UAVs of a similar configuration, in different areas in southern and northeastern Ukraine. These UAVs were not fitted with cameras or explosive payloads. The presence of components identified as corner reflectors, in addition to flight data evidence gathered from the navigation and autopilot systems suggests the platforms were designed and used specifically to engage enemy anti-aircraft systems, to both deceive or erode protective measures, and possibly study their method of operation. The remarkable resemblance of these UAVs to weaponized UAVs documented in Syria since 2018, employed against Russian and Assad regime forces, may suggest the inspiration for their production by Russian forces in Ukraine was based on lessons learned regarding the effectiveness of relatively inexpensive, simple, functional platforms against challenging, complex military AA systems. However, it is unclear how successful the UAVs, which were reportedly deployed during mass missile attacks, have actually been.
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