Production lines in Russia are “in overdrive” to expand its stocks of a new version of the KUB-BLA drone to unleash against Ukraine’s defences.
The “suicide” loitering munition could prove to be a game-changer for Russia after months of struggling to break through Ukrainian forces’s efforts to oust the invaders.
A new report from SOFREP claimed Russian military chiefs are “buzzing” and hoping the new weapon will prove key to breaking the stalemate.
The report said the upgrades have made the drones “a more formidable nightmare for the enemy”, noting the changes are as if Russia “strapped a sledgehammer” to the drone.
The current version of the KUB-BLA is produced by the Russian arms company Kalashnikov Concern, and already features a warhead of OKFOL, an explosive 1.7 times stronger than TNT.
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On Christmas Day, Kalashnikov Concern chief Alan Lushnikov appeared to suggest some units of the upgraded drone had already been delivered to the frontline.
He said: “Tests have been successfully completed, and the first batch is being shipped to the customer right now, I think, at this very moment.
“This is a serious step, because in fact it was a new product.”
The KUB-BLA was already considered a powerful weapon in Russia’s arsenal because of its ability to travel for 30 minutes at top speeds of 130 km/h (81mph) in near-complete silence.
However, the use of the drone has so far been limited because of its relatively small warhead compared to other drones such as the Lancet.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggested the new KUB-BLA version could be used to target objectives other drones have struggled to strike.
The Russian Army has been relying on Iran-produced Shahed drones for “suicide” attacks on Ukraine’s defence lines.
Multiple reports have however highlighted the Iranian drone frequently failed to reach its intended target – with Ukrainian forces intercepting and destroying them with ease.
Reports of the new drones come as Russia escalates its strike campaign on Ukraine, with Kyiv warning the unrelenting raids have been stretching air defence resources.
Air force spokesman Yurii Ihnat told national television: “Intense Russian air attacks force us to use a corresponding amount of air defense means.
“That’s why we need more of them, as Russia keeps increasing its (air) attack capabilities.”
