Baba Yaga (aircraft)
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| Baba Yaga | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | UAV Bomber drone |
| Place of origin | Ukraine |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2022–present |
| Used by | Ukrainian Armed Forces Russian Armed Forces (captured) |
| Wars | Russian invasion of Ukraine |
Baba Yaga is the Russian nickname for a number of Ukrainian heavy bomber drones used in the conflict following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[1][2] Several models are referred as Baba Yaga, including Aerorozvidka R18, Kazhan, Nemesis and Vampire.[3][2][4]
Nickname
[edit]"Baba Yaga" is a reference to the Slavic mythological creature Baba Yaga,[1] a supernatural witch who flies around in a cauldron or mortar.[5]
Gallery
[edit]
Drone calibration
Suspended bombs
Operators- Video of destruction by Russian FPV quadcopter
Construction
[edit]Baba Yaga are large multirotor drones, with four, six or eight rotors.[3][6][7] They are equipped with an infrared (thermal imaging) camera and able to carry up to a 15-kilogram (33 lb) rocket warhead.[1][2] Chechen soldiers of the Russian Armed Forces claimed that one of the modifications was equipped with claw-like devices, which were used to abduct wounded soldiers.[8]
Baba Yaga originated from an agricultural octocopter.[9] 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".[9]
Use
[edit]Baba Yaga was used both as a bomber deploying "mortar-sized munitions" and also as a "mothership" drone equipped with a signal repeater, anti-jamming equipment, batteries, and directional antennas.[9] Its ability to function as a signal repeater extended the battery life and range of secondary drones.[10] The drones have been used primarily at night during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[11]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Axe, David (3 December 2023). "Baba Yaga is a giant Ukrainian drone that drops bombs at night". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- 1 2 3 Panella, Chris (3 November 2023). "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.
- 1 2 Hambling, David (15 January 2025). "Unseen, Unsung And Underrated: Ukraine's Night Bombers". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
- ↑ ""Baba Yaga" destroys the occupiers in Zaporizhzhia: how a Ukrainian drone keeps the enemy at bay". West Observer. 2024-02-20. Archived from the original on 2024-03-04.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Quinn, Allison (2023-08-22). "Chechen Fighters: Drones With 'Claws' Abduct Russian Troops". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- 1 2 3 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.