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Russia’s “Unstoppable” Strike Drone Exposed: Inaccuracies, Propaganda, and Ukraine’s Track Record
Russia claims its latest strike drone is so fast it’s “physically impossible” to shoot down — but even pro-Russian sources admit that’s not true. Just like Moscow’s so-called “invincible” Kinzhal and Zircon missiles, which Ukraine’s air defenses have already destroyed, this drone is unlikely to be as effective as they claim.
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Russian media reported that its forces, “Arkhangel Spetsnaza” have modified one of its anti-aircraft strike drones, drastically increasing its speed. Arkhangel is a Russian military group that profits from the brutal killings of Ukrainians, selling “exclusive” footage of Russian atrocities.
Citing Mikhail Filippov, head of Russia’s “Arkhangel”, claims that the drone's modifications mean it can now reach a top speed of 280 km/ph, while other drones reach a top speed of 70–80 km/ph.
“Due to the correct aerodynamics with the same motors and batteries, it flies two to three times further and much faster,” Mikhail Filippov was quoted as stating. “The minimum range is 50 km, and the speed is 280 km/h. At such a speed, it is physically impossible to shoot it down with small arms.”
However, members of the Arkhangel Spetsnaza group admit to inaccuracies via their Telegram channel—inaccuracies that were not reported by Russian media. The drone will cover a range of 50 km at an economical speed of 120-140 km/h, with a reduced range at maximum speed, according to Defense Express .
It is unusual for Russian forces to admit inaccuracies, especially via a public platform, so the drone is likely to be less successful than currently reported.
The developers claimed that the drone's high speed significantly reduces its vulnerability to small-arms fire, asserting that it is "physically impossible to shoot it down," Defense Express reported the drones developers as stating.
“Invincible” and “impossible to shoot down” are terms Russian forces and the Kremlin have used for their weapons several times before, and Ukraine has disproven these claims, time and time again.
Logic and Russian propaganda have always existed in parallel planes and have never intersected.
Shooting down the “invincible” Kinzhal
The official newspaper of Russia’s Defense Ministry, Krasnaya Zvezda, falsely claimed their forces had launched its Kinzhal hypersonic missile from a Su-34 fighter jet onto Ukraine for the first time on January 13.
The Kinzhal missile, also known as the “Dagger,” has been historically praised by Moscow as one of a series of "invincible" weapons. “It is highly effective and invulnerable to Ukraine’s air defenses,” Chief of Russia’s General Staff, First Deputy Defense Minister Valery Gerasimov, claimed.
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Ukraine has shot down several Kinzhal missiles. In May 2023, Kyiv eliminated six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles in one night alone.
“All Kinzhal missiles launched towards the capital of Ukraine since the announcement that the Patriot air defense missile system became operational have been successfully intercepted,” Colonel of the Air Force and commander of the 96th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, Serhii Yaremenko said in an interview with Ukrinform. “No ballistic target has reached its destination within the capital of our country since May 2023.”
Eliminating the Zircon
The Zircon was considered Russia’s newest and most secretive weapon. At the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Moscow persistently boasted that the Zircon was impossible to intercept, but Ukraine’s forces have successfully shot down the Zircon missiles with their Patriot Air Defense.
In March 2024 Russia attacked Kyiv with the Zircon missile, but Ukraine successfully intercepted two of them.
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