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Ukraine Increases Long-Range Strike Capabilities against Russia with New Locally-Made Peklo Missile Drone.
On December 6, 2024, Ukraine unveiled its locally-developed unmanned aerial system, the "Peklo" (translated as "Hell" in Ukrainian), marking a major milestone in its indigenous drone capabilities. The Peklo drone reportedly offers a range of 700 km (430 miles), surpassing many Western-supplied systems. During its presentation in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized its importance for the country’s defense, announcing that the drone had already been successfully deployed in combat scenarios by the Armed Forces.
New Ukrainian Home-Made Peklo Long-Range Missile Drone (Picture source: Ukraine MoD)
The Peklo system stands out for its compact design, featuring fixed wings and twin tail fins, resembling cruise missiles in both configuration and purpose. Its performance capabilities are impressive, reaching speeds of 700 km/h (430 mph). These specifications position Peklo as a formidable counterpart to existing long-range missile systems, such as the U.S. ATACMS with a range of 300 km and the UK/French Storm Shadow with a range of 250 km. The drone’s compact size, measuring over one meter in length, combined with local production, highlights its cost-effectiveness and strategic importance in reducing reliance on foreign supply chains and associated restrictions.
The initial operational uses of Peklo are reported to have been successful, though specific mission details remain classified for security reasons. This program aligns with Ukraine’s broader strategy to enhance autonomous long-range strike capabilities. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov also highlighted the parallel development of the Palianytsia hybrid drone-missile, which has now entered serial production, marking significant progress in national technological advancements.
The development of the Peklo drone is strategically crucial for Ukraine’s Armed Forces. These domestically-produced systems offer long-range strike capabilities, enabling Ukraine to target high-value objectives deep in enemy territory while surpassing the range and operational restrictions of foreign-supplied weapons. They provide cost-effective, scalable solutions, reducing reliance on limited international supply chains and circumventing usage limitations imposed by allies. Furthermore, such innovations enhance operational flexibility and resilience, allowing Ukraine to respond swiftly to battlefield demands while asserting greater autonomy in its defense strategy amidst ongoing conflict.
The development of Peklo aligns with Ukraine's efforts to strengthen its indigenous defense capabilities, particularly after the Russian invasion began in 2022. By mid-2023, Ukrainian engineers had reportedly overcome major manufacturing and supply chain challenges that previously hindered national missile projects. The final design, featuring typical cruise missile characteristics such as fixed wings and twin tail fins, was completed in early 2024, with promising testing phases conducted mid-year. Its official unveiling on December 6, 2024, marked the culmination of this accelerated development process, showcasing Ukraine’s ability to independently produce cost-effective long-range strike systems alongside other national innovations like the Palianytsia hybrid drone-missile.
In parallel with Peklo, the Palianytsia hybrid drone-missile entered serial production in 2024, as announced by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. This system also combines drone and missile features for long-range strikes, offering an estimated operational range of 500 km and a maximum speed of 600 km/h. With its compact design and cost-efficiency, Palianytsia serves as a credible alternative to traditional missiles while strengthening Ukraine’s strategic capabilities.
In 2023, Ukraine had already experimented with long-range drones such as the Bober, used for strategic strikes on distant targets. The Bober, while slightly less capable, demonstrated a range of approximately 400 km and adaptability for various missions, including operations in heavily defended airspace. These developments are part of an accelerated strategy since 2022 to reduce reliance on foreign weapons and address critical battlefield needs, particularly in light of restrictions on the use of missiles provided by Western allies.