News of a recent drone assault on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, against the city of Moscow has come to light. From wreckage shown on Russian social media platforms, there is speculation that the Ukrainian-manufactured drone UJ-22 may have been involved in the operation. This particular drone model was purportedly used previously to target the Kremlin, as stated by Russian sources.
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According to Russian information, the recent drone attacks against Moscow were conducted thanks to the use of Ukrainian-made UJ-22 drones. (Picture source Russian Social Network)
Ukrainian drones are said to have invaded Russian airspace on numerous occasions. Notably, in December 2022, Russia reported having intercepted drones at Saratov and Ryazan airfields. These attacks allegedly resulted in the deaths of three soldiers in Saratov, a location of significant military importance.
Although Ukrainian military analysts have yet to affirm Kyiv's involvement in the Moscow assault, they believe UJ-22 drones, which have a maximum range of roughly 1,000 kilometers, may have played a part.
The Kremlin assault in May 2023 supposedly involved one such UJ-22, produced by Ukrjet. The visual evidence seems to align with images of this unmanned aerial vehicle, which Russia has implicated in previous attempts on its security.
Early Tuesday, social media was rife with videos showing a low-flying drone detonating in a field near Moscow and others cruising over homes in the upscale Rublyovka district and tower flats in southwestern neighborhoods. Further footage from Moscow's outskirts captured a Pantsir surface-to-air missile system engaging a proximate target.
Developed by Ukrjet, the UJ-22 Airborne is a versatile drone, bearing a resemblance to a conventional aircraft. It boasts a maximum cruising range of 800 kilometers, suggesting it could feasibly be deployed from Ukraine to target Moscow's center.
The drone can maintain a controlled flight for up to 100 kilometers, the maximum distance for radio communication between it and its command center. Past this point, the drone operates independently, navigating via pre-set coordinates and elevation. It also possesses an autopilot system allowing it to function without a GPS signal, useful for evading enemy electronic countermeasures. This feature enables the drone to operate under various conditions, including adverse weather and electronic warfare scenarios.
The UJ-22 can be armed with a variety of free-fall bombs or four 82 mm mortar mines, and it can carry up to six PG-7VM munitions from the RPG-7 anti-tank rocket launcher. The drone can hold a total payload of 20 kilograms and is equipped to release its load on predefined coordinates. The accuracy of its delivery system from a 700-meter altitude is impressive, achieving a target error margin of less than 10 meters. Notably, the UJ-22 also accommodates a releasable UJ-31 Zlyva loitering munition under its fuselage.
The technical drawing about the Ukrainian-made UJ-22 comes from the Twitter account of @ChuckPfarrer.
Technical information about the Ukrainian-made UJ-22 drone. (Picture source Twitter account @ChuckPfarrer)
