In 2024, Western military analysts drew attention to a new Russian strike drone known as Molniya, which appeared unexpectedly and quickly established a reputation as an effective weapon due to its extremely simple design. David Hambling of Popular Mechanics described it as deadly and capable of causing serious problems even for the United States, emphasizing what he called Russia’s revolutionary approach to building cheap but lethal drones.

According to Hambling, Molniya combines long range, high strike accuracy, and ultra-simple assembly. He said the drone has effectively become a guided missile that costs about the same as a mortar round — an AK-47 equivalent among UAVs.

The airframe is reportedly made from plywood, with wings built from polystyrene foam, providing strong lift with a low stall speed. Spars and structural elements made from aluminum tubing are fastened using hot glue. Building the drone from scratch is said to take two to four hours using basic tools, while the materials cost less than $500, making it a mass-produced and accessible weapon.

Hambling noted that at first glance a UAV made of foam and plywood may look laughable, but it is extremely difficult to counter because it flies at low altitude.

As a result, he argued that Molniya is becoming one of the most dangerous weapons in Russia’s arsenal and is on the verge of spreading widely.