Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian Orlan-30 reconnaissance drone that had been modified to carry smaller strike drones, the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade reported.
The unit said the “mother drone” it shot down was carrying two quadcopter-style drones under its wings. A Ukrainian First-Person View (FPV) drone captured an image of the drone just seconds before impact. The exact time and location of the strike were not disclosed.
“This is the first time we have downed such a modification of the Orlan,” the brigade wrote in a Facebook post.
Photos published by the Come Back Alive foundation showed the drone’s altered design, including visible damage on one wing from earlier engagements.
3 по ціні 1, кількість акційного товару обмежена 🔥
Воїни одного з підрозділів Сухопутних військ збили розвідувальний БпЛА «Орлан», який ніс на собі два FPV-дрони.
Такого ми ще не бачили, хоча бачили вже багато 👀
Якою б не була задумка ворога, цього разу вона провалилась,… pic.twitter.com/KLewZFiJJq
— Повернись живим (@BackAndAlive) August 22, 2025
The Orlan-30 is usually used for reconnaissance and artillery targeting. It has a range of 600 kilometers and can reach altitudes of 5,000 meters.
Defense Express, a Ukrainian defense outlet, said the smaller drones attached to Orlan-30 resembled Russia’s “Skvorets” FPV model, which has been previously tested for deployment from larger drones.
