Ukrainian forces capture advanced Russian drone for tech analysis

Ukrainian armed forces shot down a Russian Zala 421-16E unmanned aerial vehicle in the Sumy region. The downed machine fell on the defenders' territory in almost intact condition, and as a result, it will soon be used for research on Russian technology.

Recently, Ukrainians have achieved a series of successful drone shootdowns. According to regularly published reports from their armed forces, defenders usually hit all or almost all drones launched by the Russians in their direction.

Although sometimes Russian ammunition hits unintended targets—such as the crash of a Shahed-136 just across the border in Romania—Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense is mostly effective in repelling drone attacks. It also easily handles previously unidentified drones. Not long ago, Ukrainians reported shooting down two different drones that had never been seen on the front before.

Both drones "landed" in Ukraine in relatively good condition, allowing Ukrainian armed forces to familiarize themselves with new Russian technology. Similarly well-preserved is the Zala 421-16E unmanned aerial vehicle, whose shootdown Ukrainians are now boasting about. This is a significant loss for the Russians because although the drone is small, it is used for aerial reconnaissance and to direct fire at key Ukrainian positions.

What exactly did the defenders' army manage to shoot down? Zala 421-16E is a drone produced by the Russian company Zala Aero Group. It is used for reconnaissance, observation, and target identification missions. This UAV was created to meet the Russian Federation's need for less detectable and highly effective reconnaissance equipment in the army.

As a result, the 421-16E was developed. It is an unmanned aerial vehicle built in a composite flying wing configuration. Its wingspan reaches over 9 feet, while its length slightly exceeds 3 feet. This reconnaissance drone's maximum takeoff weight is approximately 22 pounds.

Thanks to its efficient electric motor, this small craft can speed up to 70 mph. The Zala 421-16E can operate at altitudes of up to 11,500 feet and has a range exceeding 125 miles. Its operational radius is 28 miles, and its flight duration is up to 4 hours.

The standard version of the 421-16E's fuselage houses a digital SLR camera with at least 18 megapixels resolution, allowing for terrain observation with 20x magnification. It also includes a gyroscope for image stabilization and a thermal imaging camera, further increasing the UAV's usability. Its navigation system utilizes GPS/GLONASS and a three-axis magnetometer.