The Russian army continues to expand its range of robotic systems. Servicemen from the Ulyanovsk Guards Airborne Forces trained assault team operations using the modern Omich robotic system. The Omich remotely controlled tracked robot is already in use by the troops. It is used for personnel rotation, wounded evacuation, and the delivery of ammunition and provisions. It is worth noting that the Ukrainian army also actively uses tracked drones. The Omich NRTK robotic system was created by Omsk engineers with the support of the People's Front Kulibin Club. The Omich NRTK can be controlled remotely or directly. Several versions of the robot are available. The Omich NRTK weighs 525 kg and can carry up to 250 kg of cargo and tow up to 1,000 kg. The Omich-2 version of the NRTK can be equipped with combat modules, an anti-tank missile system, a grenade launcher, a multiple rocket launcher, and a machine gun. The robot weighs approximately 375 kg. Both versions have a range of over 30 km. Specifications may change as the project develops.
Russian Military Technology : Updates and Discussions
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The Russian Ministry of Defense demonstrated the use of a robotic platform to establish a communication line between command posts. It's worth noting that robotic ground vehicles are increasingly being used in the Russian military.
High-quality footage of the Russian Mi-8MTV-5MM helicopter, which has been delivered to the Russian Northern Fleet. The Mi-8MTV-5M helicopters completed a flight from the factory in Tatarstan to the Northern Fleet base. The crews covered over 2,500 kilometers, including several refueling stops. According to the pilots, the new autopilot system significantly simplifies piloting, including at night. Thanks to powerful powerplants, starting is now easier. The helicopter's cabin and equipment can now be warmed up without even starting the engines, a crucial feature for the North. The Mi-8MTV-5M helicopter is an improved version of the Mi-8MTV-5-1, which is in service with the Russian army. The basic version of the Mi-8 helicopter was introduced in 1961. It is the most widely produced twin-engine helicopter in the world.
The High-Precision Systems holding company has shipped a new batch of BMP-3 combat vehicles to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Each BMP-3 comes with anti-cumulative gratings, armored screens, and "Nakidka" (cape) signature reduction kits. The attachments and protection are installed on the BMP-3 upon arrival at military units.
A firing sequence of the Russian 170mm M-1989 "Koksan" self-propelled gun. The M-1989 self-propelled gun was developed in the 1970s in North Korea. Videos of its use are very rare; only a few videos have appeared in the year since its introduction. The M1989 can fire rocket-assisted projectiles at a range of up to 60 km.
The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations received a batch of TM-140 all-terrain vehicles. The TM-140 tracked, amphibious all-terrain vehicle was developed at Kurganmashzavod and is designed to transport shift workers, emergency crews, cargo, and equipment in hard-to-reach areas. During its service life, the all-terrain vehicle has proven itself and received numerous positive reviews. The TM-140 is designed using a modular principle and can accommodate a variety of equipment and vehicle bodies. The all-terrain vehicle can also be equipped with a 14.5mm KPVT machine gun. Detailed technical specifications are available on the screen. The TM-140 all-terrain vehicle has a payload capacity of up to 4,000 kg, can carry up to 7 people, and has three berths. The TM-140 all-terrain vehicle is equipped with a YaMZ-236B-2 diesel engine producing 250 hp, enabling it to reach speeds of up to 45 km/h on the road and up to 4 km/h on water. The vehicle has a range of 600 km.
Rostec demonstrated tests of the modernized Russian tracked and wheeled robotic platforms "Depesha." The upgrades improved their cross-country ability in difficult terrain. The robotic platform "Depesha" is versatile and can be equipped with various modules. This allows the robot to deliver cargo, evacuate the wounded, carry explosives, and perform other tasks. The robot has been in use by Russian troops since 2024. It's worth noting that the share of robotics in the Russian military is growing. The robot is controlled remotely, and fiber optic cable can also be used. The "Depesha" robot is equipped with an electric motor and can reach speeds of up to 15 km/h while carrying up to 150 kg of cargo. It has a range of up to 4 hours.
The Russian Army has begun testing the Russian heavy-duty cargo quadcopter "Elephant." Specialists from the Groza Group have developed a heavy-duty quadcopter capable of carrying a payload of 120 kg. By comparison, Ukrainian hexacopters like the "Baba Yaga" can lift up to 60 kg. Drones of this type are designed to supply forward units at the front line, which is approximately 10 km away, making it difficult to supply troops. Various versions of the drone, equipped with munitions release systems and electronic warfare systems, are currently being tested. The "Elephant" quadcopter has undergone tests, including evacuating a person weighing approximately 80 kg and delivering a generator. With a payload of 50 kg, the drone can fly up to 13 km. The drone has received a positive assessment from the Russian Ministry of Defense and has been recommended for deployment to the armed forces.
The Russian volunteer design bureau Radart unveiled a prototype of the Lyudmila anti-aircraft mount, designed to engage UAVs and FPV drones. Design Bureau Radart has been developing air defense systems with optoelectronic guidance systems for a long time. The video also shows the GEKKON air defense system mounted on a trailer. It's worth noting that some air defense systems developed by Design Bureau Radart are already in limited combat use in the army. The anti-aircraft turrets are based on 7.62mm PKT and 12.7mm NSVT machine guns. Currently, the Lyudmila air defense system has a 0.8-0.95 probability of intercepting Lyutyi UAVs at ranges of up to 500-700 meters. Work to improve the air defense systems is ongoing. The main challenge for air defense systems currently is detecting and reliably tracking FPV-type targets.
The Russian Air Force has released new high-quality footage of a Su-34 frontline bomber dropping OFAB-250-270 bombs. In this case, the unified airborne gliding and correction module is installed on the OFAB-250-270 bombs. The UMPK module has essentially re-purposed old Soviet bombs, transforming them into effective, modern precision weapons. It's worth noting that air defenses are ineffective against bombs equipped with UMPK modules.
On December 6, 2025, the naval ensign was lowered on the last Project 956 destroyer of the Russian Northern Fleet, the Admiral Ushakov (known as the Fearless until 2004). The ship was the 17th in the series, launched in 1993. The Admiral Ushakov last sailed in 2023. The Russian Navy nominally has only one destroyer of this class left, the Nastoychivy, which is listed as part of the Baltic Fleet but has been inactive since 2015. It is worth noting that China has modernized and is using ships of this class. An overview of the Project 956 ships is available in the video link.
The United Aircraft Corporation has manufactured and delivered a new batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers to the Russian Ministry of Defense. This marks the seventh batch of combat aircraft of this type this year. The Su-34 is a versatile aircraft with a powerful arsenal, currently in demand in aviation. The aircraft has received improvements that increase its precision and range. In terms of combat performance, the Su-34 fighter-bomber is one of the best in the world. Examples of the Su-34's combat performance are available on the channel in the "Military Chronicle" playlist.
Rostec has released new footage of the Russian Zemledeliye (Agriculture) remote mining system. The video also shows a loading vehicle. The system has been extensively used in Russia's Kursk region and has proven its worth. The Zemledeliye (Agriculture) remote mining system (RISDM) provides frontline cover, hindering enemy advances. The system can mine an area the size of several football fields in minutes. The system can automatically fire a salvo at predetermined targeting points. Mines laid by the system are capable of damaging Leopard tanks, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and other armored vehicles.
Russian Molniya drones have begun using the American Starlink satellite communications system; the first photos of the drones have already emerged. It's unclear how many of these drones there are, but they already have dedicated antenna slots for Starlink Mini antennas. Using Starlink communication systems will allow the drones to operate over longer distances and improve the immunity of communication channels to interference. Currently, electronic warfare systems find it difficult to jam Starlink communication channels over large areas. It's worth noting that the Ukrainian army has long been using the Starlink communication system in its drones.
Pilots of Russia's Northern Fleet shared rare footage of Su-24M bombers refueling in mid-air. During a routine flight shift, the crews of Su-24M frontline bombers practiced one of the most challenging aspects of pilot training: aerial refueling. Operating in designated areas, the Su-24Ms approached and performed a contact docking with the refueling cones of an Il-78 tanker. The maneuvers were performed during the polar night, taking into account the challenging weather conditions of the Far North. Airborne refueling is one of the most challenging aspects of pilot training.
The Russian Army's Kurier robotic system has begun to be equipped with electronic warfare stations. The electronic warfare station is designed to jam drones; its model and specifications were not disclosed. Tests utilized various operating modes against FPV drones to determine the effective jamming range and the system's performance in the challenging conditions of modern combat. The robot's range, speed, chassis maneuverability, and battery life without recharging were also tested.
Tests of the Russian hand-held net launcher "Spider" 2.0, designed to intercept drones at close range, developed by KPB Polet. We previously featured a drone interceptor with a net from this company. It's worth noting that the device is already in limited use in the army; a second version has been released, but the Ministry of Defense has not yet purchased these anti-drone systems en masse. The net launcher "Spider" 2.0 features a metal reinforcement in the central section and upgraded charges, increasing the target engagement range to 30 meters. The net launcher consists of a net and a pyrotechnic cartridge, and is designed for a single shot, after which it is reloaded. The net launcher is capable of:
immobilizing a flying drone, changing its flight path, or causing the drone to detonate if a contact fuse is installed. The net size is up to 2.7 meters. Detailed specifications are shown on the screen at the end of the video.
immobilizing a flying drone, changing its flight path, or causing the drone to detonate if a contact fuse is installed. The net size is up to 2.7 meters. Detailed specifications are shown on the screen at the end of the video.
The Russian Su-57 fighter jet made its first flight with the fifth-generation "Izdeliye 177" engine. Cutting-edge technologies, materials, and innovative design solutions have enabled the creation of an engine with significantly improved performance compared to previous-generation power plants. The fifth-generation "Izdeliye 177" turbofan engine is designed for tactical aircraft. The "Izdeliye 177" engine produces up to 16,000 kgf of afterburning thrust and boasts a longer service life and improved fuel efficiency compared to the previous generation of engines. The Su-57 is constantly being modernized, and the aircraft is already being exported. A full-scale mockup of the Russian-made 177S aircraft engine was unveiled for the first time at the Dubai Airshow 2025 (link below).
Russian aircraft engine 177S
Russian aircraft engine 177S
The United Aircraft Corporation delivered the seventh and final batch of new Su-35S multirole fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces this year. The company reported that this year has been a record for combat aircraft production in Russia. The Su-35S is a 4++ generation fighter, requiring only 500 meters to recover from a spin.
The aircraft is equipped with an N035 Irbis-E passive phased array radar. The Irbis-E radar can detect targets with an effective reflective surface (ERS) of 3 m² at a range of up to 400 km. For example, Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missiles, with an RRS of approximately 0.5-0.7 m², can be detected at a range of approximately 250-300 km. Less visible American Tomahawk missiles with an image intensifier of 0.1-0.2 m² are detected at a distance of 150-200 km.
The aircraft is equipped with an N035 Irbis-E passive phased array radar. The Irbis-E radar can detect targets with an effective reflective surface (ERS) of 3 m² at a range of up to 400 km. For example, Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missiles, with an RRS of approximately 0.5-0.7 m², can be detected at a range of approximately 250-300 km. Less visible American Tomahawk missiles with an image intensifier of 0.1-0.2 m² are detected at a distance of 150-200 km.
Russian FPV drones, "Prince Vandal Novgorodsky," controlled via fiber optic cable, are now capable of flying at a range of up to 50-65 km. The drones are abbreviated as "KVN." This means the combat range of these FPV drones is now almost equal to that of artillery systems. It's worth noting that after the introduction of the "KVN" drones, 11 Ukrainian teams announced the development of their own fiber optic drone, with one team completely replicating it. Alexey Chadayev, director of the Ushkuynik Scientific and Production Center, reported on the upgraded "KVN" drones. The increased range was achieved by equipping the drones with new fiber optic coils. The "Prince Vandal Novgorodsky" drone can also now operate in standby mode and from ambush positions. Examples of this and combat operations are available on the channel. The drone has been equipped with an electronic target sensor, allowing it to be detonated either from the operator's control panel or upon impact with a target. The Prince Vandal Novgorodsky drone's payload capacity is up to 6 kg, but this is reduced when large fiber optic cable reels are installed. The drones are now also equipped with thermal imaging cameras. According to official information, production of Prince Vandal Novgorodsky drones is approximately 50,000 units per month.