Molniya drone

Russia adding AI to Molniya drones, Shahed integration next – video interview

Russia has begun integrating AI into conventional Molniya drones, and it is only a matter of time before the technology is added to Shahed drones, Ukrainian defense ministry adviser Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov told Radio NV on July 7.

8 July, 10:40 AM

Russia deploys new Molniya and jet-powered Shahed drones in strikes on Kharkiv

An explosion rang out in Kharkiv after a Russian jet-powered Shahed drone struck the city's Osnovyanskyi district while a Molniya drone hit the Industrialnyi district, Suspilne and Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported on June 24.

24 June, 08:05 AM

Ukrainian forces strike Russian Molniya drone launch site in Pokrovsk

Ukrainian forces carried out an airstrike on a Russian drone launch site in central Pokrovsk, disrupting enemy unmanned aerial operations, Ukraine's 7th Rapid Response Corps said on June 6.

6 June, 12:37 PM

Neptune missiles hit drone plant in Russia’s Taganrog – General Staff

Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck several key Russian military targets overnight, including the Atlant Aero plant in the city of Taganrog in Russia, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Apr. 19.

19 April, 12:36 PM

Russian forces overhaul kamikaze drones into low-cost reconnaissance tools

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.

25 March, 10:00 AM

Russian Molniya drones strike Kharkiv, hits reported

Russian forces attacked Kharkiv with Molniya drones on Feb. 9, recording at least one hit in the Shevchenkivskyi district, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported on Telegram.

9 February, 05:23 PM

Russian drones, missiles devastate Kharkiv overnight

Russian forces launched a combined drone and missile attack on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported shortly after midnight on Feb. 4.

4 February, 08:47 AM

Ukraine's Navy strikes Russian Molniya drone factory in Taganrog –video

Ukraine’s Naval Forces published a video of the aftermath of the strike on the Atlant Aero plant in the Russian city of Taganrog overnight into Jan. 13, where Molniya drones and components for Orion UAVs were produced.

16 January, 04:19 PM

Russian drones cut power in Mykolaiv and suburbs

Mykolaiv and its suburbs experienced a partial blackout following an overnight Russian drone attack, regional Governor Vitaliy Kim reported on Telegram early on Dec. 26.

26 December 2025, 08:11 AM

Russia upgrades Molniya drone with Starlink for aerial reconnaissance

Russian occupying forces have adapted the Molniya FPV drone for aerial reconnaissance by equipping it with a Starlink satellite communications system and a camera with three-axis stabilization, Ukraine’s military intelligence said.

22 December 2025, 02:08 PM

Russian Molniya drone hits roof of administrative building in Kharkiv

A Russian drone struck the roof of an administrative building in central Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Dec. 13.

13 December 2025, 09:51 PM

Russia attacks Kharkiv with new drone type for the first time, mayor says

Russian forces have attacked Kharkiv with a new type of drone, named Chernika, for the first time, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on June 30. He noted the drone’s warhead has power comparable to the Molniya UAV but features a different design.

30 June 2025, 12:37 PM

Russians hit Sumy with drones damaging residential areas

The Russian invaders launched another drone attack on Sumy on the night, and around 1:00 p.m., the enemy again targeted the city center with drones, as reported by Oleh Hryhorov, head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration on June 16.

16 June 2025, 06:38 PM

Kharkiv hit by Russian Molniya drone, one injured

Russian forces launched a Molniya-type attack drone on the outskirts of Kharkiv on June 4, injuring one person, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.

4 June 2025, 12:17 PM

Molniya drone