Ukrainian engineers extend drone range to nearly 200 km with new battery system

The system allows drones originally designed for agricultural use—typically capable of flying up to 30 kilometers (18 miles)—to travel far greater distances and perform combat missions.

A Ukrainian drone equipped with the new system flew a record 197 kilometers (122 miles) and helped destroy a Russian Buk-M1 air defense system, military sources said.

Ukrainian forces operating on the Sumy front reported in July 2025 that a drone using PAWELL batteries flew 40 kilometers (25 miles) behind enemy lines, detected a Buk-M1 system, and transmitted coordinates for an artillery strike. The Russian system, valued at around $10 million, was destroyed.

Developers surpassed that range several months later, achieving a fivefold increase. A POSTMAN-type drone flew 197 kilometers (122 miles) on the southern front in October 2025, exceeding the platform’s standard battery limit by roughly 35%.

The drone carried a 15-kilogram (33-pound) payload, struck an ammunition depot, and returned with approximately 10% battery remaining—enough for an additional 20–25 kilometers (12–15 miles) of flight, developers said. By comparison, the same drone could previously fly a maximum of 135 kilometers (84 miles) using a standard manufacturer battery.

The breakthrough was achieved by switching to LiNMC battery cells commonly used in electric vehicles, including those produced by Tesla and Mercedes-Benz.

“These cells allow the drone to store more energy at the same weight, meaning it can fly farther or carry a heavier payload,” said Pavlo Esyp, co-founder of PAWELL. “Traditional LiPo batteries are heavier and store less energy, so we transitioned to LiNMC. They are lighter, more powerful, and can be tailored to specific drone types.”

No universal battery solution exists for all drones, Esyp said. Each platform requires a different balance of weight, power output, and capacity depending on its mission.

Reconnaissance relay drones prioritize endurance, while maneuverable FPV drones require lightweight, high-power systems. Fixed-wing drones depend on a balance between weight, capacity, and cost.

Engineers are now working to extend the range beyond 400 kilometers (250 miles), developers said.

Drones have become Ukraine’s primary battlefield tool, accounting for an estimated 80–85% of enemy losses, military officials said. As a result, Russian forces have adapted their tactics, increasingly moving in small groups or using basic transport to avoid detection.

The “kill zone” between positions has expanded from roughly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to 5–6 kilometers (3–4 miles), and in some areas up to 7 kilometers (4.3 miles), said Yurii, call sign “Fox,” chief sergeant of a drone systems battalion in Ukraine’s 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade.

This reflects a broader strategy of asymmetric deterrence, Ukrainian defense forces said, aimed at making the war prohibitively expensive for Russia.

Low-cost drones priced at $500–$1,000 are capable of destroying equipment worth tens or hundreds of times more. A single $10 million tank can be targeted by hundreds of such drones.

As drone range increases, this effect intensifies. Systems capable of flying more than 200 kilometers effectively create an A2/AD (anti-access/area denial) zone, placing Russian airfields, fuel depots, and rail hubs deep inside Russia within reach.

Unlike costly missiles, which are limited in supply, drones can be deployed daily and at scale, forcing Russia to spend heavily on air defense systems.