Ukraine’s fleet of heavy bomber drones, known to Russian forces as “Baba Yagas,” is playing a vital role in the war, delivering significant blows to Russian troops. These night bombers, although frequently overlooked, are causing substantial casualties within Russian ranks. Their full impact remains largely underreported, due to the challenge of interpreting thermal imagery footage, which makes it difficult to assess the true damage inflicted.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence acquired more than 2,000 heavy bomber drones last year, with each drone valued at around $20,000, roughly half the cost of a single F-16 fighter jet. The drones, including types such as the Vampire, R18, Nemesis, and Kazhan (Bat), have the capacity to carry payloads between 20 to 40 pounds and strike targets up to 12 miles away.
These drones are often targeted by Russian forces, who use quadcopters to follow them back to their origin or attempt to locate their position through their radio emissions. Ukrainian drone teams operate under perilous conditions as they face such threats while executing their missions.
According to OSINT analyst Andrew Perpetua, the effectiveness of these drones is being “seriously underestimated” because it’s difficult to confirm kills from the thermal imagery footage alone. Perpetua states that Ukraine has adopted a strategy of using these heavy bombers to destroy vehicles, resulting in tremendous daily losses for Russian forces.
The impact of these drones has been so significant that Russian troops have started repurposing captured Ukrainian drones for their own use, creating a supply chain to maintain the “trophy bombers” in service.
The psychological toll on Russian soldiers has also been notable. Russian forces have even introduced a 10-day leave incentive for soldiers who manage to capture a Ukrainian drone. Folklore has developed around the Baba Yagas, with stories claiming the drones “swoop down at night to carry away wounded Russian soldiers in their metal claws.” This myth highlights the psychological fear these drones inspire among Russian troops.
The full extent of the damage these drones have caused may not be fully realised until after the war ends, but their use represents a significant advancement in Ukraine’s drone warfare capabilities and is proving to be a crucial part of Ukraine’s overall military strategy.
