Russians are building mini kamikaze drones

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Last weekend, Ukrainian soldiers shot down a kamikaze drone. However, this is not a well-known drone, but a Mugin-5 from the Chinese manufacturer Mugin Limited.

Also known as “Alibaba drones”, these can be purchased from many marketplaces such as Alibaba or Taobao. The price: up to $15,000. The fact that drones, which are also available in regular stores, are used for war is not new, but it is unusual. According to Ukrainian information, several kilograms of explosives were attached to the drone.

“It’s a dud bomb”

According to Chris Lincoln-Jones, 67, a retired British Army officer and specialist in drone warfare, the downed drone in eastern Ukraine is a “dud bomb” – because it is not equipped with a camera. That makes it impossible to check them.

The drone is not really suitable for war, says Lincoln-Jones. “It’s built very simply.” In addition, the price is very low by military standards, says the expert. This supports the theory that Russia is “not the military superpower” the world might have expected.

However, according to experts, there are indications that both sides are using the technology in the war. Russian officials claimed on Telegram in January that Russian forces in the occupied Luhansk region, also in eastern Ukraine, shot down a Kamikaze Mugin-5 used by Ukrainian soldiers. The Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on this.

The Chinese manufacturer was not happy with the warlike use. Mugin Limited described the incident to CNN as “deeply regrettable”. “We do not condone this operation,” a spokesman for Mugin Limited told CNN. “We’re doing our best to prevent that.”

CNN has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment, but has not received a response. (two)

Source: Blick