Ukraine uses “dragon drones” against Russia – videos show extent

Anna Von Stefenelli / watson.de

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated its innovation in the use of drone technology. With relatively simple means, Russian military drones are used to attack Russian troops and equipment.

Apparently, in the fight against Russia, Ukraine is now relying on ammunition that was already used in a different form during the First and Second World Wars: The military defends itself with “dragon drones”.

Unlike in the world wars, the army combines the so-called thermite ammunition with drones, thus increasing efficiency. Numerous videos show how destructive the “dragon drones” are.

Videos show destructive “dragon drones”

The footage shows these drones flying over Russian-occupied areas and dropping liquid metal – a thermite mixture of aluminum powder and iron oxide. It burns at immensely high temperatures, reaching up to 2200 degrees Celsius. Everything that served as cover for the Russian soldiers is caught in the fire and set ablaze, as can be seen in videos.

When the thermite falls from the drone, it resembles fire coming out of a dragon’s mouth. Hence the name.

Apparently, the use of the new weapon combination is extremely effective. The military also emphasizes its importance, as CNN reports. “Attack drones are our wings of vengeance, they bring fire directly from the sky!”, says a social media post by the 60th Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine.

The drones are precise and can “destroy enemy positions with a level of accuracy that no other weapon can achieve.” The psychological effect of this new weapon is also highlighted. “If our ‘Vidar’ works, the Russian woman will never sleep,” the brigade wrote, alluding to the Nordic god of vengeance.

“Dragon drones” are “bad stuff” according to analyst

Nicholas Drummond, a land warfare analyst and former British Army officer, also told CNN that the use of thermite drones has less of a physical than a psychological effect on Russian troops. “It’s really bad stuff that creates a lot of fear”said Drummond.

Although Ukraine has only limited means to use thermite on a large scale, the terror that this weapon could spread should not be underestimated.

Drummond specifically emphasized that thermite can burn through almost anything – including metal. While Ukraine’s use of “dragon drones” is a “niche capability” and not a mainstream weapon, they can be used specifically to achieve certain goals.

Thermite and incendiary weapons in history

Thermite was developed in the 1890s by the German chemist Hans Goldschmidt and was originally used for welding railway tracks. It was first used as a military weapon during World War I, when German airships dropped thermite bombs over Great Britain.

During World War II, both Germany and the Allies used thermite in bombs to destroy enemy artillery and equipment. According to the British organization Action on Armed Violence, Ukraine had already used thermite to disable Russian tanks.

According to the report, the enormous heat destroyed everything inside the tank. “This precision makes thermite an extremely effective tool in modern warfare,” the report continues.

The use of thermite in war is controversial

Thermite is one of several incendiary weapons, including napalm and white phosphorus. The UN Office for Disarmament warns of the devastating consequences such weapons can have on people and the environment.

Fires caused by incendiary weapons are unpredictable and difficult to control. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), thermite burns can damage the human body down to the bones, often causing horrific injuries that require months of treatment. “Victims are left with lifelong physical and psychological scars,” the organization said in a report.

Although the use of thermite against military targets is permitted under international law, it is strictly prohibited against civilian targets.

It remains unclear whether thermite drones can decisively change the course of the war. Nicholas Drummond does not believe that these weapons will be decisive for Ukraine alone. “If Ukraine really wants to achieve a breakthrough, it needs a significant mass, as we saw in Kursk”change he.

But one thing is certain: the fear of thermite drones is likely to give Russian soldiers an additional reason to fear attacks from the air. Thermite also increases the pressure.