Russian drones strike Sumy: Photos of the aftermath
Preliminary reports indicate the attacks were carried out using “Italmas” drones.
The aftermath of the drone attacks in Sumy
The occupiers attacked Sumy with drones. According to preliminary information the attacks were carried out using “Italmas” drones.
Artem Kobzar, acting mayor of the city, reported this.
- Two drones hit the territory of a private enterprise.
- One struck a residential area, breaking 27 windows.
- Another landed near a municipal enterprise of the Sumy City Council.
Fortunately, early reports indicate no casualties, with all emergency services responding on site.
What is the “Italmas” drone?
The Russians have increasingly used the hybrid “Italmas” drone for strikes on Sumy. This weapon first appeared in 2023 but showed limited effectiveness. Now, the enemy has decided to “revive” the project.
The Russian “Italmas” drone (also known as “Geranium-3,” “Product 54,” or “lawnmower”) is a simplified version of the Shahed-136 strike drone, built as a flying wing. It is described as a hybrid of the "Shahed" and "Lancet" drones.
Key specifications:
- Flight range: up to 200 km
- Speed: 120–150 km/h
- Engine type: Chinese gasoline engine, similar to “Gerberas”
- Warhead: 15–25 kg of explosives
- Navigation: autonomous or operator-controlled. AI capabilities are unconfirmed
The specifications and prior use demonstrate that the “Italmas” is primarily a tool of terror, targeting civilian areas.
The drone is not designed for military strikes due to its small warhead and low speed, which limits its ability to engage mobile targets.
However, the “Italmas” offers two advantages for Russia:
Simplicity and cost-effectiveness: it is cheap, easy to mass-produce from plywood, composites, or even foam. It can be manufactured anywhere with available materials.
Secondly, despite its outward resemblance to its Iranian “ancestor,” the Italmas is capable of flying significantly lower than the "Shaheds". This makes it much harder to detect. Moreover, according to some reports, the drone is more difficult for air defense systems to target, as its engine is positioned at the front.
The aftermath of the drone attacks in Sumy
The aftermath of the drone attacks in Sumy