Ukraine’s “Dragon Drones” Use Molten Metal in Latest Battlefield Tactic 2024

“Dragon drones” are a brand-new, terrifying weapon that Ukraine has used against Russian military. These drones are capable of dropping molten metal on enemy positions—a technique that combines cutting-edge current technology with a lethal artifact from the past.

What Are Dragon Drones?

These drones are shown flying low and spitting streams of molten metal in recent films that have been posted on social media, including Telegram from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. At temperatures as high as 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,200 degrees Celsius), this metal is referred to as thermite. It can damage foliage and trees, which often give Russian soldiers cover, with its intense burning. In certain instances, it may even result in the troops’ own deaths or severe injuries.

The molten metal that the drones drop resembles fire erupting from a dragon’s mouth, hence the nickname “dragon drones.” These drones are like “wings of vengeance,” delivering fire straight from the skies with precision accuracy, according to a post from the 60th Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine. The article even makes reference to the Norse deity of retribution, Vidar, to highlight the fear that these drones might inspire.

Why Are These Drones Effective?

Defense industry analyst Nicholas Drummond notes that although thermite drones are quite inventive, their main impact is psychological rather than physical. “It’s very nasty stuff,” he admits, realizing that the purpose of its application is more to instill terror than to do harm. Drummond points out that thermite is a specialized instrument rather than a common weapon due of Ukraine’s restricted ability to use it.

History of Thermite

There is nothing new about thermomite. It was initially used to weld railroad rails when it was discovered in the 1890s by a German scientist. Its ability to be a weapon was quickly discovered. The Germans employed thermite bombs thrown over Britain by zeppelins during World War I. Thermite bombs were employed by both Germany and the Allies during World War II to demolish enemy hardware and render captured artillery inoperable.

Thermite has also been dropped directly into the hatches of Russian tanks by Ukrainian drones, rendering the vehicles unusable. These drones are an effective weapon in modern warfare because of how rapidly everything within is destroyed by the thermite’s high heat.

Incendiary Weapons and Their Impact

Among the several kinds of incendiary weapons are napalm and white phosphorus, of which thermite is only one kind. Incendiary weapons are notorious for their destructive power and challenging fire management. The United Nations Office for Disarmament claims that these weapons are capable of causing extensive harm to the environment.

For example, the United States employed napalm extensively to destroy enormous areas during World War II and the Vietnam War. The U.S. Army has long included thermomite in its grenades.

Effects on Humans

Thermite is not forbidden when used in armed conflict, but because of its harmful consequences, it cannot be used against civilians. According to Human Rights Watch, the harm caused by incendiary weapons such as thermite is “horrific,” resulting in serious burns and prolonged suffering. These weapons’ victims frequently require months of therapy and suffer long-lasting psychological and physical wounds.

The Current Conflict

Intense warfare has been witnessed in the conflict since February 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. By utilizing tiny drones to target Russian soldiers and equipment, Ukrainian forces have demonstrated their inventiveness. Vladimir Putin was taken aback by a recent attack near Kursk by the Ukrainians, which also gave them more confidence.

According to Ukraine, Russian forces have attacked towns and cities like Bakhmut and Kharkiv with incendiary munitions, among other civilian targets. Incendiary weapons have not rapidly resulted in a Russian triumph, despite these charges.

While thermite drones provide Russian forces an additional degree of terror, Drummond thinks that for Ukraine to make meaningful progress, a more comprehensive plan is required. The objective is to keep applying pressure and employing the fear approach, which works well in some circumstances.

Conclusion

The deployment of thermite by Ukraine’s “dragon drones” is a terrifying fusion of traditional and modern military strategies. These drones serve as a stark reminder of the extent modern armies will go to in order to obtain an advantage, even though their primary impact may be psychological in nature. These developments underscore the dynamic character of warfare and the unrelenting search for fresh tactics to win the battle.

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