New Russian drone raises alarm in Ukraine's Odesa region
In recent weeks, the Russians have been attacking the Odesa region using a new drone called the Banderol (Eng. package), as reported by the Ukrainian portal Defense Express. This drone's construction remains largely unknown.
The new Russian drone Banderol, which has recently targeted the Odesa region in Ukraine, raises numerous questions, according to experts. Serhij Beskrestnov, an expert in military communications and electronic warfare, states that this drone is powered by a jet engine, capable of reaching speeds between 400 to 500 km/h. However, many crucial specifications, such as its range or warhead weight, remain undisclosed.
Mysterious weapon from Russia
Information about a weapon with this name has been circulating for some time, but now we are witnessing the first systematic instances of its use. It is unclear whether this product will pose the same threat as the well-known KAB weapons, claims the expert, referring to KAB glide bombs, which are regularly deployed by Russian tactical aviation.
Analysts from Defense Express note that the only mention of the Banderol drone appeared on the Ukrainian portal War & Sanctions. It mentions that companies JSC and KT are involved in producing this weapon. However, there are no details about the "package" on the supposed manufacturers' websites.
It is worth noting that in February 2025, the Russians reported a "successful test flight of a new unmanned aerial vehicle." Defense Express does not rule out that this may have involved the Banderol. However, no system details were provided during these UAV tests.
Analysts also emphasize that the Russians are continually working on the development of unmanned machines. Some do not carry warheads and serve solely as decoys to help detect air defense systems. Defense Express additionally reports that among new Russian designs is a jet-powered UAV with a simple construction based on door hinges. The remaining parts are reportedly sourced from China.
