Ukrainian army downs Russian Orion surveillance drone
Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down a Russian Orion (Photo: t.me/kpszsu)
The Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down a Russian strike-reconnaissance Orion aircraft worth several million dollars, according to the Commander of the UAV Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Robert "Madyar" Brovdi.
"Just shot down a strike-reconnaissance Orion. 414th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion 'Madyar’s Birds', Topota Team. 16.3 meters – wingspan, 24 hours in the air," he wrote.
Madyar reported that over the course of 3.5 years of war, Madyar’s Birds have shot down more than one and a half thousand Orlans, Zalas, Supercams, Shahed drones, Geran drones, and Lancets, with the largest being Merlin and Forpost.
“Orion remained on the checklist,” he noted.
What is known about the Orion
The Orion is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle. It has been in service with the Russian army since 2020.
Its onboard equipment is designed for visual, radar, or electronic reconnaissance, with the capability of long-duration patrols in a designated area.
The UAV weighs 1,150 kg.
Its combat payload is 200 kg.
Previously, the Ukrainian Air Force shot down Orion drones several times.
For example, on August 31, 2024, an enemy UAV was downed in the Kursk direction.
In February 2023, an Orion was destroyed in the Kherson region.
The Ukrainian Air Force first shot down a Russian strike UAV in April 2022.
