The key facts

  • The ZALA Z UAV is used by the Sever group of forces to direct aviation and long-range artillery onto Ukrainian Armed Forces positions
  • According to the RIA Novosti source, the drone costs ten times less than the previous model
  • The vehicle flies for up to an hour and a half, penetrates up to 70 km deep into territory and returns

A new drone in reconnaissance operations

Reconnaissance troops of the Russian Sever (North) group of forces direct aviation and long-range artillery onto positions of the Ukrainian army using a new silent drone, the ZALA Z. This was told to RIA Novosti by an engineering technician of a crew with the call sign Vesely (Cheerful); the report is cited by Gazeta.Ru.

What is known about its characteristics

According to the agency's source, the vehicle has a metal body and an almost silent engine, and maneuvering at low altitude makes it hard to detect. The system itself detects approaching enemy interceptor drones and performs evasive maneuvers. Vesely also called the ZALA Z a budget replacement for the previous model: according to him, it costs ten times less.

Practical parameters

The drone is so compact that one person can carry it; preparation for launch from a catapult takes about five minutes, and the catapult can be set up almost anywhere. The vehicle stays in the air for up to an hour and a half and, with cameras for day and night imaging, can penetrate up to 70 km deep into enemy territory and return to its launch site. All the cited characteristics are the words of a single RIA Novosti source; there is no independent confirmation or data on serial use in the publications. Gazeta.Ru also mentions that it was previously reported that Ukraine had adopted a new tactic involving 'waiting drones', however no details on this topic are given in the available materials.