Drones on parachutes over Kharkiv: What are they for?
Downed Russian reconnaissance drones were seen descending by parachute over Kharkiv. The Ukrainian Air Force says this is standard practice for reconnaissance and reuse of UAVs.
Follow us on Google
UAVs descending by parachutes / © Serhii Beskrestnov «Flash»
Footage circulating online shows downed Russian drones descending on parachutes in Kharkiv. The video was reportedly filmed in the Saltivka district.
This was also explained by Serhii Beskrestnov «Flash», a tech advisor to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry and an expert in UAVs and electronic warfare
«I did not understand the excitement in Telegram channels. All reconnaissance UAVs descend on parachutes. The parachute is deployed either by operator command or after the drone is hit. That is why our soldiers often find Russian reconnaissance drones intact, ” he wrote.
What the Air Force says about parachute drones
Ukraine’s Air Force also commented on drones using parachutes. According to Head of the Communications Department of the Air Force Command, Yurii Ihnat, such drones are not unusual.
Ihnat said drones equipped with parachutes are used by both Russian and Ukrainian forces.
According to him, parachutes deploy either on operator command or after a drone is damaged. That is why Ukrainian troops often find enemy UAVs largely intact.
«These are primarily reconnaissance drones designed to return by parachute, either for reuse or for data retrieval, ” Ihnat explained.
Among drone types equipped with parachutes are «Orlan-10,» «Orlan-30» and «Supercam.» They are fitted with parachutes to allow safe recovery after missions. Parachutes may also deploy when drones are hit by fire.
The new footage from Kharkiv suggests Russian reconnaissance drones are increasingly using parachutes to protect equipment and ensure mission safety.