Russia’s Rare Merlin-VR Recon Drone Eliminated by Ukrainian FPV Crews, Video

Ukrainian air defense and pilots from the 63rd Brigade successfully neutralized a rare Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Merlin-VR, according to the Operational Command ‘Khortytsia’ on January 16.

The military reported that two FPV drone crews tracked the Russian UAV, coordinating to ensure its destruction.

“Whoever didn’t manage to take down the target recorded the explosion and fragments scattering in the sky,” the military added.

The Merlin-VR is an experimental Russian UAV designed for reconnaissance in both automated and semi-automated modes.

Ukraine estimated that the cost of such a drone can be $300-500 thousand each.

According to open sources, the drone can stay airborne for up to 10 hours and reach altitudes of 5 kilometers (approximately 16,400 feet). This far exceeds the capabilities of Russia’s usual Supercam and ZALA drones.

The Merlin-VR can carry a payload of 6.5 kilograms, which allows it to be equipped with a powerful electro-optical module. The drone is also equipped with a hybrid powertrain, which provides it with low acoustic visibility.

Merlin-VR was presented by the Russian Research Institute of Modern Telecommunication Technologies in 2021. The drone is manufactured at a facility in Smolensk, Russia.

Earlier, a unit of Ukrainian drone forces, Flying Skull, targeted a rare Russian 2S43 Malva self-propelled howitzer with two FPV drones in the Kursk region.