Footage was released of the installation of a Kinzhal hypersonic missile with a nuclear warhead on a MiG-31I interceptor fighter jet as part of ongoing exercises between the Republic of Belarus and Russia. Following the missile's installation, the MiG-31 conducted a scheduled flight.
Russian Military Technology : Updates and Discussions
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As part of the second phase of Russian nuclear forces exercises, the crew of the Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate launched a Zircon hypersonic missile. The Zircon missile was launched in the Barents Sea, at a target at the Chizha test range. The video was filmed from a distance, but the missile's initial acceleration is clearly visible.
The Kalashnikov Concern unveiled the modernized Russian tactical drone, the KUB-10ME. Details about the drone are still scarce. It is known that the drone was developed in a very short timeframe, approximately four months. Judging by the video, the drone is equipped with an internal combustion engine. The KUB-10ME drone is designed to engage unarmored and lightly armored vehicles. It can also engage enemy personnel, stationary targets, and air defense systems. The drone is also capable of performing reconnaissance missions at altitudes of 80 to 1,800 meters and a cruising speed of up to 120 km/h. The warhead weight is still unknown, but some sources indicate it weighs between 4 and 16 kg. The drone's range is over 100 kilometers.
A batch of new Russian Su-35S fighters, manufactured by the Yury Gagarin Aircraft Plant, has been delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defense as part of a state defense order. The Su-35S is a successful development of the Soviet fourth-generation Su-27 heavy fighter. In terms of performance, the aircraft is almost on par with fifth-generation fighters, although it is inferior primarily in radar signature. The aircraft have undergone a full cycle of factory testing, have been accepted by technical personnel, and have been pilot-tested in various operating modes.
Rostec announced that Russia's versatile Impulse ground robotic systems have proven their effectiveness. The tracked Impulse robots can be controlled via radio and fiber optics. They are also capable of performing tasks in fully autonomous mode, following points marked on an electronic map. Impulse BM-A fire support robots, equipped with AGS-30 or AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers, were used on the front lines. Impulse-M logistics robots are also used to transport cargo, ammunition, food, and construction materials.
Moscow continues to strengthen its air defense systems. Eyewitnesses witnessed the installation of a Pantsir-SMD air defense system on the roof of a building, carried out by a Mi-26T helicopter. This isn't the first time; Pantsir-S1 air defense systems were installed on Moscow buildings in 2023. Installing the air defense system on a building allows the radar to operate normally, as buildings block the signals.
Russian company ZALA, manufacturer of the Lancet drones, unveiled its first wheeled robotic platform, the ZALA GX-3. This versatile robotic platform is designed for emergency evacuation of the wounded, transportation of small cargo, and supplying units in hard-to-reach areas with complex terrain. It's worth noting that the use of ground drones for transportation purposes is growing in the Russian army. The ZALA GX-3 robot can overcome obstacles taller than its wheels. The platform remains mobile even with the loss of two wheels and can turn on the spot like a tank. The drone is equipped with 360-degree video cameras. The basic range of stable communication is up to 5 kilometers, and with a repeater, up to 30 kilometers. The ZALA GX3 wheeled robot has a payload of over 150 kg. Its cruising range is up to 50 kilometers. Its standby time is over 200 hours.
The Russian Khabarovsk-based NeuroPVO laboratory has developed and tested a prototype of the Kupol 25, a home-made autonomous air defense system designed to destroy drones. The project is being developed by a small team, without government funding or other assistance. The Kupol 25 air defense system does not use radar; drones are detected by cameras and, using neural network algorithms, the weapon is aimed at the target. The team is currently finalizing the system's software. The weapon is a pneumatic cannon firing metal balls. A diagram of the system is shown on the screen. Currently, the system is capable of destroying drones at a range of up to 25 meters. The Kupol 25 system costs only 230,000 rubles (US$3,200), and the cost of destroying a drone starts at 70 rubles (US$1). The developers themselves explain how the Kupol 25 system operates.
Footage of a missile launch by the Russian 2K22M1 Tunguska-M1 air defense system. The video was filmed by the 27th Guards Motor Rifle Division of the Russian Army. The Ukrainian army also uses the Tunguska air defense system, but videos featuring it are also rare. Despite its age, the air defense system is still effective against certain types of UAVs. The 2K22 Tunguska anti-aircraft gun and missile system was adopted by the USSR in 1982.
The Russian army has begun actively using Sokol-I interceptor drones. The first drones were deployed in 2025. The drone's manufacturer is currently unknown. The Sokol-I drone is designed for reconnaissance, engaging ground targets, and intercepting UAVs, including the Chaklun, Leleka, and Hornet. The Sokol-I drone is relatively simple, with a foam body. Thanks to the foam, the drone's effective reflectivity is low, making it a difficult target for air defense systems. The Sokol drone is hand-launched, without the use of any catapults or additional equipment. The operator can launch the interceptor within minutes of receiving target designation. The drone does not have automatic target acquisition; it is controlled by the operator. The drones are equipped with replaceable warheads, including RGD-5, F-1, and similar grenades. Drones can also be intercepted kinetically, without the drone using its warhead. Interceptor drones are recoverable and can be repaired. The Sokol-I drone flies at a speed of 160 km/h, has a range of up to 25 kilometers, and can fly at altitudes of up to 5 kilometers. Weighing less than 5 kg, the drone is presumably very inexpensive.
Oreshnik May Have Been Developed Using the Second and Third Stages of the Yars Missile
Analysis has shown that the Oreshnik missile may have been developed using the second and third stages of the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile.Analysts from the LUFTLAGE project reached this conclusion […]
militarnyi.com
A new version of the Russian BMP-3 has been spotted near Kurganmashzavod, the plant that assembles the BMP-3. There is no official information from the plant yet. The new BMP-3 modification is equipped with additional Kornet ATGM launchers on the sides of the turret, a panoramic sight, and an electronic warfare system.
The Russian Simbirsk-based Piranha Design Bureau announced preparations to begin serial production of an interceptor drone. The drone's name has not yet been announced. Piranha Design Bureau is known for its Piranha FPV drones, which were first used against M1 Abrams tanks. The Piranha interceptor drone is used at the tactical level and is designed to counter reconnaissance and attack drones, both fixed-wing and helicopter-based, operating at low and medium altitudes. The Piranha interceptor drone has no warhead; it destroys enemy drones using kinetic energy. A warhead may be added in the future. The Piranha interceptor drone features machine vision and self-homing. It is hand-launched and weighs only 2.8 kg. It can reach speeds of up to 275 km/h.
The Russian company Gumich RTK unveiled the "Impulse" robotic counter-drone system. The Kulibin Club presented the new system. The system consists of two tracked robots: the "Impulse-RLS" and the "Impulse-Zveroboy." The "Impulse-RLS" robot searches for targets, while the "Impulse-Zveroboy" launches interceptor drones. The system's radar detects fixed-wing UAVs at ranges of 4 to 18 km and small drones at ranges of 4 to 7 km. The radar also detects small aircraft, with a detection range of up to 30 km. The interceptor type has not been disclosed; the "Yolka" interceptor drone was previously used.
A video of the new Russian anti-drone system, Zubr, in action has been published. The Zubr air defense system is designed to protect stationary targets. It is mounted on a trailer and armed with 7.62mm machine guns. The Zubr air defense system was unveiled in 2024 and accepted into service in early 2026. The air defense system is already in service, but its numbers are unknown.
Russian company ZALA, manufacturer of the Lancet drones, unveiled its new KAMA marine drones in Kronstadt. The unmanned KAMA boat is designed for civilian and special missions. The marine drone can conduct hydrographic surveys, environmental monitoring, patrols, and security.
The drone is equipped with thermal imaging cameras and an automatic return-to-base system in the event of communication loss. The drone may also receive a new satellite link. The KAMA marine drone can carry a payload of up to 600 kg, has a range of up to 700 km, and operates autonomously for up to 12 hours at a speed of up to 55 km/h.
The drone is equipped with thermal imaging cameras and an automatic return-to-base system in the event of communication loss. The drone may also receive a new satellite link. The KAMA marine drone can carry a payload of up to 600 kg, has a range of up to 700 km, and operates autonomously for up to 12 hours at a speed of up to 55 km/h.
There is another thing, if Zircon is not air-breathing cruise missile, then why dont ut fly perpendicular to the ship/earth ?
A cruise missile go parallel to earth, while ballistic (or quasi or HGV carrier missile) goes perpendicular.
Zircon is weird, it goes to an angle after launch, its initial flight trajectory does not match to any modern missile we have seen till now.
Writer is an idiot. He implies that the Zircon intentionally slows from M7.5 to M4.5, but that's actually a result of denser air during decent. Yet he reports it seemingly baffled by this completely basic physics.
The Ukrainians can clarify by revealing the trajectories used by the missile. If it used waypoints, that makes it an air breather.