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Ukraine’s counter-offensive is successful. Slower than hoped – and yet the army managed to push back the Russians in some parts of the front. One covert operation was particularly successful: ‘Operation Black Box’.
“Because it is top secret, I am not allowed to reveal details about the project,” military chief Kyrylo Budanov (37) told Ukrainian broadcaster NV a year ago. Although agents have repeatedly mentioned the mission since then, it was still unclear what exactly was behind the ‘black box’. But now Ukraine is shedding light on the darkness.
The Come Back Alive charity first published details of “Black Box” and the successes achieved on November 16. According to the Ukrainian military, the project caused damage to the Russian side of almost $800 million. However, the information could not be independently verified.
Probably the most important part of the operation: the bobers. These are long-range attack drones that are currently causing enormous damage to Russia. With a length of 2.5 meters, the drone is an unmanned aircraft and has a range of 1,000 kilometers. It flies to its destination at speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour. And: it can stay in the air for up to seven hours. Even the Kremlin is said to have been attacked with the drones.
“This drone is capable of destroying important enemy military targets at operational, tactical and strategic depths at a distance of up to 800 kilometers,” the Kiev Independent describes the drone. The rocket is visually built like a duck. This allows the drone to change altitude easily and makes it easy to maneuver in the air. The smooth surface makes it difficult for the Russian military to detect the drone on radar.
«Ukrainian Shaheds»
The operation apparently weakened the Russians considerably. The type of drones is strongly reminiscent of kamikaze drones, which is why the Polish portal Defense24 also calls them ‘Ukrainian Shaheds’. About 200 companies produce these drones. They are a counter-weapon to the Iranian Shahed drone used by Russia.
Together with the Military Intelligence Service (SUB), the organization collected donations and put a large number of Bober drones into service. Budanov spoke in June about the fact that Operation Black Box was in full swing. The Bobers “successfully performed duties in Crimea and in the immediately occupied territories of Ukraine. Of course, they also flew at military targets in enemy territory,” Come Back Alive writes on the social media platform
There is more in the ‘black box’.
According to Ukrainian sources, a Russian warehouse was attacked with Iskander missiles. Other factories producing electronics for the Kh-31, Kh-35 and Kh-59 missiles were also attacked. The latter are launched by tactical aircraft.
But it’s not just Bober drones that are part of Operation Black Box. The organization raised almost 350,000 francs to recruit soldiers and buy vehicles for the front. The vehicles increase the mobility of Ukrainian special forces. One thing is clear: the ‘black box’ continues. According to Come Back Alive, Crimea remains targeted.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
