“Ukraine’s ‘dragon drones’ rain molten metal on Russian positions in latest terrifying battlefield innovation.” That’s the headline of a new CNN article discussing the new weapons Ukraine has introduced in its defensive operations in the war with Russia.
Recent social media posts, including one from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on Telegram, show that these drones release streams of thermite, an intense mixture of aluminum dust and iron oxide. This mixture burns at temperatures of up to 2,200 degrees Celsius and is capable of destroying cover such as trees and vegetation, or even directly incapacitating enemy troops.
The drones’ fire resembles the fire of a mythical dragon, hence their nickname. On social media, Ukraine’s 60th Mechanized Brigade has dubbed the drones “wings of vengeance,” claiming they strike with unparalleled precision.
Ukrainian forces are getting better at using Dragon’s Breath FPV drones to deliver incidental mixes. pic.twitter.com/uVpN4BdlX7
— Crash Report (@clashreport) September 5, 2024
Nicholas Drummond, a defense industry analyst and former British Army officer, told CNN that the main impact of these drones is likely psychological rather than physical. “The effect will be more psychological than physical,” Drummond said. He also noted that Ukraine’s ability to use thermite is limited, making it more of a niche weapon than a mass weapon.
Dragon flamethrower drone effectively burns Russian positions. #UkraineFrontLines #Russia #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/DOT7y5X4Gd
– Boris Alexander Beissner (@boris_beissner) September 5, 2024
Discovered in the 1890s and originally used to weld railway tracks together, thermite was quickly recognised for its military potential. During World War I, the Germans dropped it from zeppelins over Britain, and in World War II it was widely used by both sides to disable captured artillery and cause destruction.
According to Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), Ukraine has already used termites to effectively disable Russian tanks by throwing them through hatches, where their intense heat destroys everything inside.
The United States also used thermite in grenades and other incendiary devices, production of which resumed in 2023.
Earlier, Cursor wrote that the Russian Federation is massively importing Caucasians into captured Ukrainian cities.
