How Ukraine’s Beaver drone became a long-range weapon against Russian targets

Former tennis player and SBU Special Operations Center “A” operator Serhii Stakhovskyi told Ukrinform in June that the center uses drones such as Beaver, Liutyi, Palianytsia and Morok.

During the June 18 attack on the Moscow Oil Refinery, Ukraine used Liutyi, FP-1, Morok and Beaver drones, military blogger Mykhailo Zhyrokhov wrote.

In its infographic, NV explains what is known about the Beaver drone.

UJ-26 Beaver — key specifications

The Beaver is a long-range one-way attack drone designed for precision strikes on Russian strategic targets and airfields. Ukraine’s Defense Forces use the drones for strikes on Moscow and its outskirts, as well as operations in Crimea.

The Kruk UAV Operator Training Center said the drone’s first “officially public” use was recorded in May 2023 during an attack on Moscow. HUR said these drones were the first to carry out deep strikes inside Russia.

• Country of manufacture: Ukraine
• In service since 2023
• Weight: 150 kilograms
• Warhead weight: 20 kilograms
• Speed: 120–200 kph
• Range: up to 1,000 kilometers
• Flight time: 7 hours
• Cost: $108,000
• Length: 2.5 meters
• Wingspan: 2.5–3.5 meters

The drone is built using a canard aerodynamic layout, with the horizontal stabilizer positioned in front of the wing. Earlier versions were equipped with landing gear and required a runway, while the modified version is launched from a catapult.

The Beaver is controlled by an operator in real time, allowing it to hit moving targets or targets with unknown coordinates.

The drone also has a thermal imaging camera, as well as satellite and inertial navigation.

In 2025, Defense Express wrote that the Beaver could previously be described as an analogue of the Russian-Iranian Shahed-136 because it operated on a similar principle. After modification, however, the Beaver can be compared to Russia’s Lancet or other loitering munitions, the outlet wrote.