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Model · Tactical drones

Molniya — a cheap fixed-wing strike drone

Molniya and Molniya-2: cheap fixed-wing strike drones made of plywood and foam that Russia uses against frontline cities. Range, warhead, sources.

Speed
72–​120 km/h
Warhead
3–​10 kg
Cost
~$300–​4,000

According to open sources; claimed and real figures may differ, and modifications may have others.

What it is

A cheap fixed-wing kamikaze drone flown by an operator like an FPV drone, only with a wing instead of propellers. HUR describes the reconnaissance version, Molniya-2R, as a fixed-wing FPV drone with a Raspberry Pi microcomputer and a civilian SpeedyBee flight controller inside.

Molniya-2 gained a second motor and a longer range, and since 2025, according to Militarnyi, it has been fitted with TM-62 anti-tank mines.

What it means for you

A range of tens of kilometres makes the Molniya a threat not only at the front but also to frontline cities. On our map it shows up mostly in the Sumy, Kharkiv and Kherson regions. If you hear a warning, go to a shelter.

Specifications

Range
30–35 km; Molniya-2: 40–50 km[2]
Warhead
about 3–5 kg; Molniya-2 is also fitted with a TM-62 anti-tank mine (about 10 kg)[2]
Weight
estimated at no more than 10 kg (first version)[2]
Speed
20–25 m/s (72–90 km/h); the new Molniya-13 reaches up to 120 km/h[3][4]
Cost
from about $300 to $3,000–4,000, depending on the estimate; Molniya-2 up to $1,600[3][4][5]

What to do

  1. 1When you hear the “Air raid alert!” signal, go to the nearest shelter at once. Find out in advance where it is near your home and work.
  2. 2If you cannot reach a shelter, move to a room without windows and follow the “two walls” rule.
  3. 3Agree with your family on what to do and where to meet if the phone network or the power goes down.

A marker on our map may appear late or not at all. Go by the siren, not by the map.

State Emergency Service of Ukraine. What to do when the “Air raid alert!” signal sounds (in Ukrainian)checked 2 Oct 2026

How it looks on our map

Movement

No course

Marker lives

3–8 min

  • The marker does not rotate: for this type the map shows no course.
  • If there are no new reports about the target, the marker closes after 3–8 min.

Sources

  1. 1

    HUR (Defence Intelligence of Ukraine), War&Sanctions

    Molniya-2R fixed-wing FPV dronechecked 2 Oct 2026
  2. 2

    Militarnyi

    The Russian Molniya drone: a threat to Ukrainian troops and frontline citieschecked 2 Oct 2026
  3. 3

    OBOZ.UA

    The National Guard shows how it destroys Russia's new Molniyaschecked 2 Oct 2026
  4. 4

    Militarnyi

    Lightning 13: Russia Develops New Version of the Molniya Strike UAVchecked 2 Oct 2026
  5. 5

    Suspilne Chernihiv

    The Molniya drone: why the Russians have started attacking the Chernihiv border area with itchecked 2 Oct 2026
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