The Ukrainian military has inducted a new unmanned aerial system (UAS) capable of releasing streams of molten metal to ignite concealed military targets.
Dubbed the “Dragon Drone,” the low-flying UAS disperses a mixture of aluminum powder and iron oxide, which burns at an intense 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,200 degrees Celsius).
The mixture can easily burn through almost anything, including trees and vegetation that typically provide cover to Russian troops.
This capability enables Ukrainian troops to expose enemy positions and neutralize them more effectively.
A video shared by the Ukrainian defense ministry shows the drone releasing hot thermite onto wooded terrain, creating a fiery effect that mimics dragon’s breath.
“Strike drones are our wings of vengeance, bringing fire straight from the sky!” Kyiv’s 60th Mechanized Brigade wrote on X. “They become a real threat to the enemy, burning his positions with an accuracy that no other weapon can achieve.”
A "dragon drone" in the Kharkiv direction.
📹: 42nd Mechanized Brigade pic.twitter.com/4M1qAJdx3o
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 4, 2024
‘More Psychological Than Physical’
Former British Army officer and current defense analyst Nicholas Drummond noted that while the drone is “quite innovative,” its primary impact may be more psychological than physical.
With its promising capabilities, the platform can create fear among Russian soldiers who rely on bush for cover.
This approach can also give enemy forces another reason to be wary of Ukrainian drones, though Drummond believes it will still not change the course of the war.
“I understand that Ukraine only possesses a limited capacity to deliver a thermite effect, so this is a niche capability rather than a new mainstream weapon,” he told CNN. “But I would not have liked to have been on the receiving end.”
Is It Legal?
The mixture coming from the “Dragon Drone” could be considered an incendiary weapon, something used by Germany during the First World War.
Similar to napalm and white phosphorus, use of the weapon is discouraged because it can cause massive destruction and environmental damage.
The fires it produces are hard to contain and can affect the civilian population if not controlled or regulated.
Under international law, direct use of thermite on civilian targets or in populated areas is prohibited due to its severe impact on human health.
UK-based anti-war organization Action on Armed Violence said Kyiv only uses the incendiary weapon on military targets.
