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Russia Loses $300,000 Merlin-VR Drone Trying to Spy on Ukrainian Troops, Video
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukrainian forces destroyed a high-end Russian reconnaissance drone—the Merlin-VR— that was reported by the SIGNUM battalion of Ukraine’s 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade on June 2.
“The Russian Merlin-VR UAV tried to observe our positions, but its flight ended in true ‘arrival-minus’ fashion,” Ukrainian defenders wrote.
👀 Ukrainian forces destroyed Russian Merlin-BP reconnaissance drone.
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) June 2, 2025
This drone is one of the most expensive reconnaissance drones in Russia, their cost can reach approximately $300,000. pic.twitter.com/YELlXxzTod
The Merlin-VR is one of the most advanced and expensive surveillance drones in Russia’s arsenal, with an estimated price tag of approximately $300,000. Developed by the Russian Research Institute of Modern Telecommunication Technologies and manufactured in Smolensk, the drone was first unveiled in 2021.
Unlike more commonly deployed Russian drones such as the Supercam or ZALA, the Merlin-VR boasts significantly superior specifications.
It can fly at altitudes of up to 5 kilometers (16,400 feet), stay airborne for 10 hours, and cover distances of up to 600 kilometers.
Its 6.5-kilogram payload allows for the installation of advanced electro-optical systems, and its hybrid propulsion system provides low acoustic visibility—making it harder to detect and track.
Earlier, Ukrainian air defense units from the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade shot down another Russian Merlin-VR reconnaissance drone.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
