Video
Azov FPV drones destroy two Russian Merlin-VR UAVs worth $600,000 — video
Russian war2 February, 06:29 PM
Fighters of Ukraine’s Azov 12th Special Forces Brigade
destroyed two Russian Merlin-VR reconnaissance drones worth $600,000 using FPV
drones, the unit reported on
Feb. 2 alongside published footage of the strike.
The Merlin-VR is among the most high-tech and expensive
reconnaissance platforms in Russia’s arsenal. Designed as a precision
surveillance system, its cost rivals that of an infantry fighting vehicle or a
mine-resistant armored vehicle.
“And this pricey development was taken out by a simple yet
skillfully deployed strike drone,” Azov troops noted.
According to defense outlet Militarnyi,
the Merlin-VR can remain airborne for up to 10 hours and reach altitudes of 5
kilometers (3.1 miles). It can carry a payload of 6.5 kilograms (14.3 pounds),
enough to equip it with a powerful electro-optical module.
The drone was unveiled in 2021 and is used by Russian forces
for aerial reconnaissance.