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Lithuania Backs Production of Ukraine's Palyanytsia Long-Range Drone to Disrupt Russian Logistics Lines.
On November 23, 2024, in Vilnius, a memorandum was signed between the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov, and the Lithuanian Minister of Defense, Laurynas Kasčiūnas. This agreement includes an initial €10 million funding by Lithuania to support the production of long-range weapons in Ukraine, including the development of the "Palyanytsia" drone.
Ukraine’s Palianytsia Jet-Powered Long-Range Attack Drone (Picture source: Ukraine Social Network)
As part of this agreement, the first €10 million funding has been approved to develop long-range weapons, notably the "Palyanytsia" drone project. This hybrid missile-drone has already been deployed operationally, as announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in August 2024. Designed for precise long-range strikes, it can target military infrastructure deep within enemy territory, such as airbases located in Russia, and is launched from ground-based platforms. While its technical specifications remain classified, its development significantly enhances Ukraine’s strategic capabilities.
The "Palyanytsia" drone is a multifunctional unmanned aerial system designed for both reconnaissance and tactical missions. It features a lightweight composite frame optimized for stealth and durability, with a maximum payload capacity of 10 kilograms. It has a flight endurance of up to six hours and a range of 150 kilometers, powered by a high-efficiency electric propulsion system for silent operation. Equipped with advanced optical and infrared sensors, it provides real-time data transmission and target acquisition capabilities. The "Palyanytsia" can operate autonomously or under manual control, making it suitable for dynamic battlefield environments and rapid response scenarios.
The "Palyanytsia" missile-drone was successfully deployed for the first time on August 24, 2024, targeting a Russian military facility in occupied territory. Designed to strike deep within Russian territory, it is powered by a turbojet engine and launched from a ground platform. While most of its technical details remain confidential, reports indicate that the "Palyanytsia" has a range of 600 to 700 kilometers, enabling it to reach approximately 20 Russian military airbases. Ukrainian authorities have highlighted this new weapon as an innovative method of retaliation against the aggressor, with production costs lower than those of Western cruise missiles. Field reports suggest that the "Palyanytsia" has significantly strengthened Ukraine’s ability to strike strategic targets in depth, complicating Russian air defenses and disrupting enemy military operations.
It should be noted that drone collaboration between Ukraine and Lithuania predates this recent agreement. In September 2024, Lithuania announced the delivery of thousands of GA-10-FPV-AI drones to Ukrainian armed forces. These drones, locally produced by the company Granta Autonomy, are quadcopters equipped with first-person view (FPV) and artificial intelligence capabilities, capable of carrying a maximum payload of 3 kilograms.
In October 2024, Lithuanian manufacturer RSI Europe delivered the first batch of FPV "Shpak" drones to Ukraine. The Shpak is a 10-inch quadcopter designed for military use, capable of carrying up to 5 kilograms of explosives and equipped with a remote detonation system.
The Lithuanian Minister of Defense emphasized that the administrative processes for transferring the funds related to the memorandum signed in November are being finalized, with the first installments set to be disbursed shortly. He also highlighted the importance of this investment, which goes beyond mere financial support, by strengthening strategic ties between Vilnius and Kyiv.
The memorandum is not limited to the immediate funding of drones. It also sets priorities for 2025, including the preparation and equipping of Ukrainian brigades, the accelerated supply of ammunition and air defense systems, and the development of joint industrial projects. Additionally, technological collaborations are planned to optimize the performance of Ukrainian drones through shared expertise between the two countries, focusing on stealth, range, and precision strikes.