Ukraine has publicly disclosed the existence of a previously secret squadron of reusable Horynych bomber drones, converted from civilian light aircraft, capable of striking Russian targets at depths exceeding 1200 kilometers. Official images show at least ten modified aircraft, each carrying a 100-kilogram OFAB-100-120 bomb, indicating the program has evolved from experimental missions to an operational force.
Converting Civilian Planes into Reusable Bomber Drones
The drones are based on SkyRanger Swift and Nynja ultralight airframes originally designed for recreational flying. Engineers replaced conventional cockpit controls with remote piloting equipment and electro-optical cameras, allowing ground operators to guide the aircraft throughout bombing missions. Each aircraft carries a Soviet-designed OFAB-100-120 bomb under the fuselage. Unlike one-way attack drones, these are designed to return after releasing their payloads for repeated missions, offering an economical and lethal capability. The absence of leaves on nearby trees in the released images suggests the photos were taken months ago, implying Ukraine may have maintained this fleet for an extended period before revealing it.
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Night Strike on Russian Infrastructure in Crimea
According to Serhii Sternenko, adviser to Ukraine's Defense Minister, the Horynych drones participated in an overnight strike against an underground Russian logistics facility near Armyansk in occupied Crimea. Armyansk lies near the Perekop Isthmus, a key land corridor linking Crimea to Russian-controlled territory. The facility stores fuel, ammunition, and military equipment. The strike was jointly conducted by Ukraine's Air Force, the Lazar Group, and the Venom Unmanned Systems Center. Neither Ukraine's military nor its Defense Ministry has officially confirmed the number of drones involved or the damage caused, and independent assessments are pending.
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Capabilities and Limitations of the Horynych Fleet
Ukraine has previously used modified civilian aircraft for long-range strikes, including a June 2025 attack using an A-22 Foxbat towing an unpowered glider with a 100-kilogram warhead against a Shahed drone factory in Alabuga. SkyRanger conversions have been in use since 2024, but earlier sightings involved individual aircraft. The appearance of a dozen operational drones marks a significant scale-up. However, the ability to sustain repeated deep-strike missions remains unverified without independent confirmation. There is no information on the total fleet size or expansion plans. To protect remote control systems from cyber threats, it is essential to adopt security measures similar to those discussed in the article about the new macOS ClickFix campaign, which steals passwords and installs remote access trojans. The evolution of the Horynych drones exemplifies how civilian technology can be repurposed for military use, altering conflict dynamics. For more on drone technology, see the Wikipedia page on unmanned aerial vehicles.
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