Baba Yaga (aircraft)
Baba Yaga is the nickname for a Ukrainian drone (also called an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or UAV) used in drone warfare created in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[1][2] It has been described as a "vampire bomber drone."[2][3]
Description[edit]
Nickname[edit]
"Baba Yaga" is a reference to the Slavic mythological creature, Baba Yaga.[1] Baba Yaga is described as a supernatural witch who flies around in a cauldron or mortar.Harding, Luke (2023-05-12). "'We'll get there': the Ukrainian drone unit quietly knocking out Russian targets". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-03.</ref> In August, 2023, Chechen soldiers of the Russian armed forces claimed the drone had claws and could abduct soldiers.[4]
Construction[edit]
The drone is described as a large hexacopter (6-rotor) drone.[5][6] It is equipped with an infrared (thermal imaging) camera and able to carry up to a 33-pound rocket warhead.[1][2]
Agricultural origins[edit]
Baba Yaga has been described as originating from an agricultural octocopter.[7] Russian-state media reported use of the drones in the eastern Donbas was based on heavy agricultural drones, and were nicknamed Baba Yaga after "a ferocious old woman."[7]
Use[edit]
Baba Yaga was used both as a bomber deploying "mortar-sized munitions" and also as a "mother-ship" drone equipped with a signal repeater, anti-jamming equipment, batteries, and directional antennas.[7] Its ability to function as a signal repeater extended the battery life and range of secondary drones.[8] During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the drones have been used primarily at night.[9]
Capture[edit]
In December, 2023, it was reported that Russian forces had captured a Ukrainian Baba Yaga drone operating through the Starlink satellite network.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Axe, David. "Baba Yaga Is A Giant Ukrainian Drone That Drops Bombs At Night". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ a b c Panella, Chris. "Ukraine says its Vampire bomber drone is such a nightmare for Russian troops they call it the 'Baba Yaga,' a mythical evil creature". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ ""Baba Yaga" destroys the occupiers in Zaporizhzhia: how a Ukrainian drone keeps the enemy at bay". West Observer. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ Quinn, Allison (2023-08-22). "Chechen Fighters: Drones With 'Claws' Abduct Russian Troops". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ "Baba Yaga Drones Are Delivering Fear to Russian Occupiers in Ukraine - Technology Org". 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ "Russian army's nightmare: Ukrainian serviceman tells about Vampire hexacopter". global.espreso.tv. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ a b c Korshak, Stefan (2024-02-29). "Ukrainian Drone Swarms Controlled by 'Baba Yaga' Robot Aircraft, Russian Sources Claim". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ "Ukrainian forces invent innovative method to attack Russian rear facilities — video". english.nv.ua. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ "Ukraine's Vampire Drones Terrorize Moscow's Forces". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. 2024-02-05. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ "Russians Reprogramming Captured Ukrainian Starlink-Controlled Baba Yaga Drones". www.defensemirror.com. Retrieved 2024-03-03.