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Ukrainian Drone Forces Shoot Down Russia’s Orion, Moscow’s Answer to the US MQ-9 Reaper
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian drone operators have intercepted and destroyed a Russian Orion unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), marking the first such downing for the 414th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems.
The interception was carried out by the unit known as the “Birds of Madyar,” using a specialized interceptor drone.
According to Robert Brovdi, Commander of the Ukrainian Drone Forces, the operation was executed by the “Topota” team within the 414th Brigade. He confirmed in a statement that the Orion became one of the largest enemy drones neutralized by Ukrainian air defenses.
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The interception took place near the settlement of Tyotkino in Russia’s Kursk region. Brovdi noted that this was the first Orion eliminated by his brigade, which has previously destroyed over 1,500 Russian drones, including Orlan, ZALA, SuperCam, Shahed, Gerber, and Lancet models.
Initial strikes against the Orion were carried out by interceptor drones of Ukraine’s 95th Air Assault Brigade before the “Birds of Madyar” completed the operation.
The Orion UAV was developed by Russia’s Kronstadt Group beginning in 2011, with the first prototype tested in 2015. Serial production began in 2020 after initial deliveries earlier that year.
The drone has a wingspan of 16 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 1.2 tons, and can carry up to 200 kilograms of payload. It is capable of flights lasting up to 24 hours at altitudes of up to seven kilometers, with an operational range between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometers.
The UAV can be equipped with guided X-50 missiles, precision-guided KAB-20 bombs, and other munitions, including the UPAB-50 glide bomb and FAB-50 unguided bomb. It has also been associated with carrying the S8000 “Banderol” small cruise missile.
While the Orion is often presented by Russian media as a counterpart to the US MQ-9 Reaper, its actual performance characteristics more closely resemble the retired MQ-1 Predator.
Both Orion and Predator share similar endurance of up to 24 hours, payload capacity of around 200 kilograms, and a wingspan of roughly 16 meters. By contrast, the more advanced Reaper, which replaced the Predator in US service, carries several times more payload and operates at greater altitudes.
Earlier, Russia’s top drone manufacturer AO Kronstadt, the producer of Orion UAVs, was reported by Defense Blog on August 25 to be on the brink of bankruptcy after Ukrainian strikes on its facilities and debts exceeding one billion rubles.
