Drone operators from Ukraine’s Security Service (SSU) “Alpha” special unit intercepted a Russian Orion attack drone, a large medium-altitude reconnaissance and strike UAV, marking the largest target successfully intercepted by Ukraine’s drone air defense systems to date. Footage of the interception was released as part of a compilation showing the destruction of Russian drones by Alpha unit operators.

According to the video, the Russian drone was equipped with pylons for carrying guided weapons, although no armaments were visible in the footage. When intercepted by the Ukrainian drone, it was likely returning from a mission.

The SSU drone struck the nose section of the Russian UAV, which houses critical electronic systems including control and communication equipment. Even a small interceptor could thus inflict significant damage. However, due to a lack of independent verification, it remains unconfirmed whether the target was completely destroyed.

（Russian Orion strike drone）

According to the video footage, SSU operators also intercepted two Forpost-R tactical drones that were conducting strike missions using suspended aerial weapons—these targets were reportedly destroyed in late June.

The Russian Orion drone has a wingspan of 16.3 meters, a length of 8 meters, and a height of 3.2 meters, with a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 1 ton. It can operate for up to 30 hours at altitudes around 8,000 meters. Reports indicate this UAV can carry a combat payload of up to 200 kg, with an operational range of 250 km.

Development of the Orion system began in 2011 under the Kronstadt Group, with the first test prototype completed in 2015. Initial Orion attack drones were delivered for trial use in April 2020, and mass production contracts were signed that August.

（The serial production of long-endurance Orion drones for the Russian Defense Ministry began in February 2021.）

The Orion drone can be equipped with various types of munitions, featuring up to four hardpoints on its airframe. Its payload options include:

• Kh-50 precision-guided mini air-to-surface missiles

• KAB-20 small guided aerial bombs

• UPAB-50 guided glide bombs (warhead derived from BM-21 systems)

• KAB-50 small guided aerial bombs (warhead derived from BM-21)

• FAB-50 unguided small aerial bombs

• Kh-BPLA missiles

The Orion platform also has capability to launch S8000 Bandero small cruise missiles. Notably, Russia has reportedly lost only nine of these drones since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In a significant development, a late-May mass drone attack by Ukrainian forces caused a fire at the Kronstadt production facility near Moscow. The strike targeted the final assembly workshop where Orion drones manufactured since 2022 were produced—the same facility responsible for manufacturing the new Bandero cruise missiles.