Ukrainian Defense Forces Down New Russian Reconnaissance drone

28 August, 2024 Zala Z-20 reconnaissance drone. Photo: Zala Aero The Ukrainian Defense Forces have shot down a new reconnaissance drone of the Russian Armed Forces.

A video of the downing was posted by Ukrainian volunteer and blogger Serhii Sternenko. The footage shows a Ukrainian FPV drone intercepting a new type of Russian drone. Upon closer inspection, the drone can be identified as a new development by the Russian company ZALA Aero.

The moment of interception by the Ukrainian FPV-Drone, Russian reconnaissance drone Zala Z-20.

Photo credits: Sternenko

The first drones of the new ZALA Z-20 type were demonstrated to the public in 2023, and they are now being actively used by the enemy in the sky over Ukraine. According to the manufacturer's official information, the drone is capable of flying at a distance of over 100 km and staying in the air for over 6 hours in patrol mode. With a maximum weight of 18 kg, the drone is equipped with an HD camera, which allows for the detection and identification of targets over long distances.

The drone can be used by the enemy to help Lancets in targeting.

Zala Z-20 reconnaissance drone. Photo: Zala Aero

ZALA Aero is a leader in the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles and plays a key role in providing the Russian Armed Forces with unmanned reconnaissance and strike systems. Previously, Militarnyi reported that soldiers of the 110th Mechanized Brigade shot down a Russian ZALA drone in the Donetsk region by adapted FPV drones.

To defeat the Russian reconnaissance drone, the 110th Brigade's FPV drone was equipped with a remote-detonated fragmentation warhead.

The invaders' ZALA 421-16E was shot down south of the village of Mykhailivka in the Donetsk region, as identified by analysts of the WarArchive telegram channel.