A heavy reliance on Starlink and an electronics-heavy design make Ukraine’s Nemesis drone difficult to operate reliably on the battlefield, according to a technical specialist with Russia’s Sever group of forces, call sign Voron. His assessment was reported by RIA Novosti.

Russian troops shot down the UAV and delivered it to a workshop of the 1427th Regiment of the 11th Army Corps. The specialists do not plan to restore the captured aircraft. Voron explained that drones of this type are rarely encountered and carry an excessive number of electronic components.

The Nemesis can transport a payload of only about six kilograms, which the specialist described as another major limitation. Its maneuverability is also restricted: a sharp change in direction or a steep tilt can cause the drone to lose its Starlink signal.

The aircraft depends entirely on the satellite system for communications, navigation and control. Even minor damage, such as a broken or disconnected wire, may leave the operator unable to control the UAV. The numerous additional modules create further potential points of failure during combat missions.

Russian forces regularly disable Starlink terminals used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the Sever group of forces, more than 60 antennas were destroyed in the Kharkov Region in July.

The Russian Foreign Ministry previously proposed that US entrepreneur Elon Musk shut down Starlink in the conflict zone, arguing that such a step could help stop the loss of life. In March, Musk described the system as the backbone of the Ukrainian army and said that its shutdown would cause the front to collapse.