Category: War in Ukraine

Ukraine’s Deep-Strike "Liutyi" Drone in Action, in Photos

Ukraine’s 14th Deep Strike Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces is preparing for another mission—one that could hit Russia where it hurts: airbases, oilfields, and other critical infrastructure. In this exclusive photo report, we take you inside their operations, capturing the precision, skill, and cutting-edge technology behind Ukraine’s long-range drone strikes.

Mar 11, 2025 17:19

2 min read

Authors: Mykyta Shandyba
Photographer

“Today, we’ll show you something very special,” says the battalion commander, callsign “Casper,” stepping aside to reveal Ukraine’s latest long-range weapon—the Liutyi unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Sleek, lethal, and battle-proven, these drones have already left their mark.

The Liutyi drones are brought to the runway to begin pre-launch preparations.

The drones undergo a thorough inspection. Each drone is individually checked before launch to prevent any malfunctions.

Ukraine’s war effort has always been defined by ingenuity. Faced with a shortage of long-range weaponry, the country’s defense sector has done the impossible—developing deep-strike UAVs capable of hitting high-value Russian military targets deep behind enemy lines.

UNITED24 journalist Philip signs the wing of one of the drones with “With love, UNITED24.”

Each drone is accompanied by a vehicle right up to takeoff. Before launch, it is controlled manually, switching to autopilot only in the air to guide it directly to its target.

Launching such an aircraft is an art and a joy for every crew member—and for every Ukrainian.

UNITED24 operator Yehor works diligently to showcase the Deep Strike work in detail, helping understand the critical role of these drones. Their precision buys Ukraine's frontline soldiers precious time, taking out Russian oil depots, ammunition stockpiles, and other strategic targets.

The Liutyi deep-strike UAV boasts a range of over 1,000 kilometers, a speed of 250–300 km/h, and a payload capacity of 50–75 kg. Guided by an advanced AI system, each drone costs approximately $200,000.

A DeepStrike team leader walks UNITED24 Media journalists through their work and the tactical use of drones in combat.

Every launch is a high-stakes operation that demands precision and extensive preparation—all to achieve the impact the world is witnessing.

“Russia has lots and lots of missiles and drones,” says Casper. “We have to strike asymmetrically so that the enemy does not just hit our soil unpunished. If we hit a key logistic hub, for example, or burn down an ammo storage, our guys at the front line will fare much better.”

Final checks of individual drone components before takeoff.

Silent. Lethal. Unstoppable. Ukraine’s drones, ready to strike.

These drones are not just weapons; they are a statement. UNITED24 Media joins the 14th Deep Strike Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces while they conduct a highly sensitive mission. Watch the full video to see these drones in action.