A newly developed strike drone dubbed Knyaz Vladimir Svyatoslavovich has completed testing in the SVO zone, drawing attention for its unconventional design and extended operational range.

Details of the project were disclosed by Aleksey Chadayev, генеральный директор of the research and production center «Ushkuynik.» Under his leadership, earlier models such as Knyaz Vandal Novgorodsky and Knyaz Veshchy Oleg had already been created.

What sets the new drone apart is its distinctive encircling structure, which makes it resemble a compact vessel rather than a traditional quadcopter. Developers describe the configuration as an oval wing, enabling vertical takeoff followed by a transition into horizontal flight. This approach improves both speed and range.

According to its stated specifications, the system is designed for rapid strikes deep behind enemy lines and can operate at distances of up to 50 kilometers. It features an automatic target acquisition system and is capable of continuing its mission even if radio contact is lost.

Chadayev indicated that the development team had aimed to send a standard copter equipped with 10-inch motors and a payload comparable to that of earlier models over a significant distance-and that this objective had been achieved. He also noted that the new drone does not differ dramatically in cost from typical FPV systems, which allows for potential large-scale deployment.

The drone is positioned as part of the broader «knyaz» ecosystem, expanding its reach and enabling operations at greater distances than before.