Ukrainian Drone with Wooden Stick Neutralizes Modern Russian ZALA 421 UAV in Aerial Combat.

On July 24, 2024, a video released by Ukrainian forces captured international attention. The footage, widely shared on social media, shows a Ukrainian FPV drone equipped with a simple stick attempting to neutralize a Russian ZALA 421-16E reconnaissance drone. The incident, which took place in the skies of Kherson Oblast, features the Ukrainian drone repeatedly striking the Russian device, eventually damaging its engine and rendering it inoperative. This unconventional technique highlights Ukrainian ingenuity in response to Russian use of drones for locating Ukrainian vehicles and coordinating loitering munitions like the Lancet.
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Russian ZALA 421-16E reconnaissance drone (Picture source: Ukrainian Social Media)

In July 2024, a video showcased a Ukrainian FPV drone armed merely with a stick making multiple targeted strikes against a Russian ZALA 421-16E reconnaissance drone. This repeated assault led to significant damage to the Russian UAV's engine, ultimately disabling it. This inventive approach underscores the resourcefulness of Ukrainian tactics in countering the Russian deployment of UAVs, which are typically used for tasks such as spotting Ukrainian units and coordinating attacks with loitering munitions like the Lancet.

The ZALA 421-16E5 is a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) specialized in surveillance and reconnaissance. Capable of carrying out intelligence, surveillance, communications relay, and monitoring missions, this UAV has a flight endurance of 6 to 7 hours. It is equipped with a nose-mounted, gyro-stabilized payload pod that includes a thermal imager and high-definition video camera.

The ZALA 421-16E can be powered by either an electric propulsion system or an internal combustion engine, offering a flight speed range of 65 to 110 km/h (40 to 68 mph). It is also possible to equip the UAV with a laser designator, enabling it to illuminate, range, and identify targets.

This UAV features an air-cushion landing system and can operate up to a distance of 150 km (about 90 miles), with an operational ceiling of 3.6 km (11,800 feet).

Beyond reconnaissance, the ZALA 421-16E drones are also used for precise target designation thanks to their integrated laser designators. This feature is crucial for coordinating attacks, especially in guiding loitering munitions like the KUB-BLA towards their targets. These munitions, capable of loitering around the combat zone, can be precisely triggered using data provided by the drones, maximizing the impact on enemy targets while minimizing collateral damage.

That is why these drones are a priority target for Ukrainian forces.

Russian ZALA 421-16E Drone (Picture source: Chuck Pfarrer)