Russian Lancet drones are carving out a distinct niche on the battlefield thanks to their agility and the integration of artificial intelligence — qualities that, according to air-defense historian and military analyst Yuriy Knutov, set them far apart from conventional UAVs.

Knutov explained to NEWS.ru that the drone’s airframe allows it to perform maneuvers so sharp that its radar signature can resemble that of a bird. He added that the newest Lancet variants are equipped with AI-driven functions: once the operator locks onto a target, the drone can track it autonomously and strike the most vulnerable point, freeing the operator to shift focus to another objective.

The analyst also noted that Lancet drones can operate in coordinated groups, do not depend on satellite navigation, and are fitted with protection against laser interference.

According to the developer company ZALA, the drones have already disabled more than 500 Ukrainian tanks. Their tally also includes over 60 Western-made vehicles such as the US Abrams, Germany’s Leopard 2, and Britain’s Challenger 2.