Moscow Attack: new details revealed on UAVs used in incident
31 May, 2023 A long-range drone, probably a "Beaver", flight over Moscow.
30/05/2023. Photo from social media After the recent drone attack on Moscow, some analysts have taken note of the peculiar design of the UAVs.
In particular, videos released by the Russian media showed that one of the drones flew with straight wings mounted at the rear of the fuselage and a distinctive canard nose, with a pusher-type engine driving the propeller from behind.
A long-range drone, probably a Beaver, over Moscow.
30.05.2023. Russia. A frame from a social media video
Previously, Ukrainian volunteers raised funds for such a drone, which was called "Beaver", for Ukrainian intelligence.
"We are together with the Govor Help Charitable Foundation for the DIU. Collecting for five Ukrainian kamikaze drones "Beavers." Our goal is to collect 20 million hryvnias," volunteers stated in 2022.
"Beaver" long-range drone. May 2023.
Ukraine. Photo credits: Lachen
The second drone spotted in Moscow carried a KZ-6 charge, which is designed to penetrate armored vehicles or walls. It is believed that this Ukrainian drone has an operating range of 600-1000 km.
Such a drone was spotted for the first time in the Russian Tula region in March 2023. This type of UAV was also used to strike the Ilsky oil refinery near Krasnodar.
An unidentified long-range drone with a KZ-6 charge, which is used to destroy objects on the territory of Russia
There are also unconfirmed reports that Ukrainian-made UJ-22 drones used in previous attacks on Russian territory were also involved in the attack.
UJ-22 drone at an exhibition in Kyiv.
2021. Photo credits: 'Zbroya ta Bezpeka'
Presumably, UJ-22 stuffed with explosives was discovered in the Moscow region, in February 2023. However, the exact launch locations of these different long-range drones cannot be confirmed at present.
A long-range drone, probably a UJ-22, on the territory of Russia. February 2023. Photo from social media
It is also impossible to say with certainty where the various drones were launched from.
However, the drones observed were mostly long-range ones specifically designed for conducting long-range strikes, indicating the possibility of them being launched from within Ukraine's borders.
What happened before: UAVs over Moscow
On the morning of May 30, unmanned aerial vehicles attacked Moscow and the Moscow Region. The Russian authorities blame the Ukrainian side for this attack, in turn, the Ukrainian authorities deny that they are attacking Russian territory. According to eyewitnesses, about three dozen drones attacked the southwestern part of Moscow. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation assures that there were only eight units.
And five of them seemed to be shot down by the Pantsir air defense system, three more lost control due to jamming by EW and deviated from their intended targets. The Russian MoD says the attack was carried out by "aircraft type unmanned aerial vehicles." This is not the first time drones of unknown origin have struck Moscow.
There was an incident earlier this month when a pair of drones targeted the Kremlin.