Russian forces overhaul kamikaze drones into low-cost reconnaissance tools
Molniya drone downed near Zaporizhzhya in March 2025 (Photo: Valerii Kemenov / Facebook)
Russia has modernized its Molniya strike drones, transforming them into cheap reconnaissance UAVs for the battlefield, Ukrainian Defense Minister advisor Serhii Flash Beskrestnov told Business Insider on March 24.
Earlier functioning as kamikaze drones, a portion of them now conduct reconnaissance and surveillance, making them more versatile on the battlefield, the publication clarified.
According to Beskrestnov, some drones are equipped with additional batteries to increase flight range, high-definition cameras, and a network modem for stable communication. At the same time, the Russians removed the warhead from the new UAV version, outfitting the drone with a microcomputer and a camera featuring a 10x optical zoom.
The modified Molniya UAVs cost Russia significantly less than expensive reconnaissance drones like the Supercam or Zala Z-16, the publication noted.
For the price of one Supercam, 10 to 15 Molniya drones can be produced, allowing Russia to reduce its reliance on expensive equipment costing up to $100k per unit, Beskrestnov estimated.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on Jan. 14 that the Russians recently began equipping Molniya-2 drones with Starlink satellite system terminals, significantly increasing their effectiveness on the battlefield.
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