Russian media: Russia's medium-range strike drones deal a heavy blow to the Ukrainian army's rear

Reference News Network reported on July 7 The Russian newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda" reported on July 2, titled "How Russian Drones Are Regaining the Intermediate Zone Near the Front Line," with the following content:

The Ukrainian military divides its strike range into three depths: close combat—within 20 to 30 kilometers, medium-range strikes—ranging from 50 to 250 kilometers, and deep strikes—ranging from hundreds to thousands of kilometers. It is within the medium-range strike zone that the Russian military has deployed the most valuable assets in the rear: warehouses, command posts, communication hubs, air defense teams, and supply lines. The enemy is using the U.S.-made "Wasp" drones to target these objectives. Some even believe that medium-range strikes were invented by the Ukrainian military.

The commander of the Russian military's "Central" group, the 40th unmanned systems brigade's assault drone unit, codenamed "Bull," said: "The primary mission of the 'Sea Eagle' drone is reconnaissance. We strike strongholds, personnel, technical equipment, and priority targets. In terms of drone range, the 'Sea Eagle' also falls into the 'medium-range strike' category, comparable to the 'Wasp,' but we excel in cruising speed and power." The "Wasp" drone has a range of 145 to 150 kilometers, a payload of 5 kilograms, and uses a machine vision optical guidance system. It has long been a "monopolist" in the medium-range strike field, but Russia is not actually lagging behind.

The commander codenamed "Bull" pointed out: "We also have drones that can turn the enemy's rear into a 'nightmare'."

In recent years, Russia has been developing various medium-range strike drones.

The "Knife" has been active in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, initially used in the close rear, and last summer it executed missions exceeding 100 kilometers in range, targeting enemy radar stations. The Russian Ministry of Defense officially confirmed this news.

The "Golden Lotus" drone has a range of over 200 kilometers and a warhead weighing 40 to 50 kilograms. It belongs to the same category as the BM-70 drone—also a flying wing type, with a speed of 150 to 200 kilometers per hour, equipped with an autonomous guidance system. The latest "Lightning" drone is also targeting the "medium-range strike" range.

Whether it is the "Knife" or the "Golden Lotus," both have long applied machine vision technology—targets are selected by operators, and the drone autonomously completes the final attack phase. This is a combination of "human plus intelligent systems," rather than a myth about machine hunters.

In the Russian military's medium-range operational echelon, there is also the "Pelargonium"-2 drone, which has its own target identification and locking system. Recently, it has become a regular feature in the Russian Ministry of Defense's battle reports.

Regarding the Russian military's achievements in medium-range strikes, one can refer to the official statements from Ukrainian authorities. Within a month, the Ukrainian military destroyed over 150 fuel stations and about a hundred fuel tankers in the medium-range strike zone. The Ukrainian oil and gas company announced that the "Pelargonium" drone attacked fuel stations located in Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, and Dnipro-Petrovsk regions.

In just the first quarter of this year, Ukraine's railway system suffered 541 attacks. Locomotives and traction stations were destroyed, with losses amounting to 200 million dollars.

The Ukrainian military has long complained that the rear railways have become a "road of death," and it is no longer safe far from the front line, as the Russian military's strike range extends dozens of kilometers into the interior. (Translated by Li Ran)