Russian “Lancet” AI drone crashes in central Kyiv
During the morning attack on 16 March, one of the Russian drones reached the very heart of the capital and fell on Independence Square, Defense Express reports.
Preliminary analysis of the wreckage indicates that the enemy used a “Lancet” drone, previously considered a weapon limited to the front-line zone. At the crash site, experts identified its distinctive X-shaped tail assembly and pusher propeller, signature features of this family of loitering munitions.
In addition to its specific design, fragments of the drone bore unusual markings in the form of colored circles. Similar markings have been observed on Russian autonomous V2U drones, which operate without direct human control.
“Most likely, it was configured to operate in a ‘swarm’, with autonomous navigation, independent target acquisition, and strike capability without a direct link to an operator,” Defense Express analysts suggest.
The use of artificial intelligence allows the drone to ignore electronic warfare measures, as it does not require a constant communication channel with a control station. It is also assumed that data transfer could have been conducted via mesh modems or mobile networks.
According to official reports from the aggressor, updated versions of these drones regularly fly up to 90 km, with a maximum recorded flight range reportedly reaching 136 km.
It is recalled that Russian forces attacked residential areas of Zaporizhzhia, causing destruction and injuries. Russian strikes in Kyiv region also damaged five educational institutions.
