Ukrainian Thermal Camera Spots Russian Orlan 3.1 Km Away Before Drone Hunts It Down

A Ukrainian interceptor drone equipped with a domestically developed thermal imaging camera detected a Russian Orlan reconnaissance UAV from 3.1 kilometers away before striking it at an altitude of nearly 5.5 kilometers.

The interception was carried out by soldiers of Ukraine’s 80th Separate Galician Air Assault Brigade using a VB140 Blyskavka fixed-wing interceptor equipped with a Kurbas-640 thermal imaging camera.

Footage of the operation was shared by Yaroslav Azhnyuk, co-founder of Ukrainian defense technology manufacturer Odd Systems, which developed the camera.

The video shows the Ukrainian interceptor climbing toward the Russian reconnaissance drone. The Kurbas-640 first detected the Orlan at a distance of 3.1 kilometers while the Blyskavka was flying at an altitude of approximately 2,380 meters.

During the ascent, sunlight temporarily interfered with the thermal sensor, producing visible distortions in the camera feed. At approximately 4,600 meters, the camera’s internal shutter activated, clearing the interference and restoring image clarity.

The footage also captured a second Ukrainian interceptor pursuing the same Russian aircraft. The Blyskavka subsequently overtook the other drone, approached the Orlan, and struck it at an altitude of 5,478 meters.

The Kurbas-640 is a Ukrainian-made thermal imaging system developed by Odd Systems. According to the manufacturer, the camera features a resolution of 640 × 512 pixels and can be integrated into unmanned aerial platforms.

Previously, Ukrainian defense companies Odd Systems and The Fourth Law launched Project Foundation, an initiative to expand thermal imaging sensor production in Europe and the United States while reducing dependence on Chinese suppliers.

Help us understand what you already know

Join United24 audience survey