Ukrainian drones use thermite munitions

Ukrainian drones have begun using gravity thermite munitions to destroy equipment and fortifications. Footage of their use was released online. The use of gravity munitions from drones has long proven effective in combat, but until now, small drones have been equipped with HE-Frag and HEAT grenades, which are ineffective against armored vehicles.

However, recently, thermite munitions dropped from reusable FPV drones have been observed in use by the Ukrainian military. The video shows how a drone operator managed to set fire to an abandoned Russian BTR-82 APC using just one such munition.

It is noted that the combustion temperature of a thermite bomb is 2500 degrees Celsius. This is enough to set fire to any flammable material, melt through a thin-walled iron panel, or burn through the aluminum hull of a combat vehicle. This result is achieved through a chemical reaction between two metals.

Judging by the combustion temperature, it can be a classic mixture of iron oxide and aluminum. The photo below shows one of the batches of thermite munitions designed to be dropped from drones. They are made in a rectangular case that will prevent the charge from rolling off when dropped.

Ukrainian thermite munitions are adapted for dropping from a drone

According to published information, the 700-gram munition consists of an aluminum case, an initiation board, and an incendiary mixture that accounts for 500 grams of the total weight.

The cost of such ammunition is only UAH 450, or £12. In addition, its design is extremely simple and its parts are affordable. Due to its incendiary capabilities and high combustion temperature, the munition is perfect for destroying vehicles, including armored vehicles, dugouts, observation posts, and open ammunition depots.

As previously reported, Ukrainian Defense Forces also actively use Ukrainian-made RGT-27 thermobaric grenades for destroying equipment and manpower.