Ukraine strikes Russian Orion drone control station in Crimea
Orion UAV (photo: wikipedia.org)
Ukraine's Defense Forces struck a ground control station for Orion reconnaissance and strike drones at the Saky airfield in Crimea. The strikes also targeted drone launch sites and Russian military depots, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
On September 17 and overnight on September 18, units of Ukraine's Defense Forces struck several key Russian military targets.
In particular, a ground control station for Orion drones was struck at the Saky airfield near Novofedorivka in Crimea. According to the General Staff, the strike on the station significantly limits Russia's ability to operate these systems in the area.
The Orion (Inokhodets) is a Russian long-endurance reconnaissance and strike drone system. It can remain airborne for up to 24 hours, conduct electro-optical reconnaissance at altitudes of up to 7.5 km, and carry up to 200–250 kg of guided weapons.
Near Donetsk, Ukraine's Defense Forces struck a site used to store, prepare, and launch attack drones. In addition, strikes were confirmed on an ammunition depot near Dovzhansk in the Luhansk region and a Russian logistics depot near Kypuche.
This is not the first strike on the Saky airfield. On August 12, Ukraine's Defense Forces struck the airfield's control tower in the same area near Novofedorivka. The facility housed a center used to collect and process data from Orion and Forpost reconnaissance drones.
