“CNN first showed the launch of the Ukrainian long-range UAV Lutyy October 17, 00:13 Share: Preparation of the UAV Lutyy for launch (Photo: screenshot of the video / CNN / YouTube) CNN journalists spent two days with a secret unit within the GUR of the Ministry of Defense, which is responsible for the launch of drones on the territory of the aggressor country of Russia, and were present during the launch of the Ukrainian UAV Lyuty at Kotluban, Volgograd region. As reported by CNN”, — write on: ua.news
Preparation of the UAV in February for launch (Photo: screenshot of the video / CNN / YouTube)
CNN journalists spent two days with a secret unit within the Ministry of Defense’s GUR, which is responsible for launching drones into the territory of the aggressor country Russia, and were present during the launch of the Ukrainian UAV Lyuty at Kotluban in the Volgograd region.
According to CNN, the AN-196 Lyuty drone is 4 meters long and has a wingspan of 7 meters. It is capable of carrying a payload weighing up to 250 kg. Crucial to the success of reconnaissance missions are also played by the smaller Rubak kamikaze drones, which suppress air defense and divert Russian fire from the Lyutoy.
As stated in the CNN article, on the night of September 29, the unit launched more than 100 drones into the territory of Russia. About 30% of all drones launched during the mission were performing distraction tasks. They were programmed to fly at a distance of 280 to 340 km.
How Ukraine attacks Russian military airfields
As stated in the CNN article, in 2024, Ukraine carried out more than 7,000 strikes on the territory of Russia. The farthest impact reached more than 1,700 km from the Ukrainian border.
BBC News Ukraine reported that the UAV Lyuty was launched for the first time on the territory of Russia in May 2023, and at the end of summer it was put into serial production. A source in the Ukrainian government involved in the production of the drone told reporters that it is a unique analogue of the Shahed with high interference resistance, capable of changing its height relative to the surface relief during flight.
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On September 29, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation confirmed the destruction of the Kotlubany military arsenal for storage and modernization of missile and artillery weapons in the Volgograd region of the Russian Federation on the night of September 29.
It was noted that on the eve of the attack on the Russian arsenal, an echelon with Iranian missiles arrived.
The Interfax-Ukraine agency, citing a source in Ukrainian military intelligence, reported that on the night of September 29, the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine attacked a missile storage arsenal in the Volgograd region of the Russian Federation with 120 kamikaze strike drones, the distance to the target was more than 600 km.