{"id":98120,"date":"2026-08-11T08:30:30","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T05:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/?p=98120"},"modified":"2026-08-11T08:38:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T05:38:50","slug":"black-mirror-71","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2026\/08\/black-mirror-71\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Mirror #71: 560 km\/h interceptor, UGVs as counter-drone defence, and other Russian miltech developments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last week, Russian sources reported on an upgrade to the SKAT-220 reconnaissance drone, the development of the high-speed Astra-PVO interceptor, and the Zhmyil reusable interceptor-bomber. The Kalashnikov concern also unveiled the new KUB-10ME loitering munition with AI capabilities, while developers were granted access to a massive video archive of strike UAV operations. Read about these and other new developments in the Russian defence-industrial complex in Defender Media’s weekly Black Mirror<\/a> review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New version of the SKAT-220 reconnaissance UAV<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Kalashnikov concern has developed a new version of the SKAT-350 reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle \u2014 the SKAT-220 UAV. According to the concern’s CEO, Alan Lushnikov, the aircraft features increased speed and greater resilience against FPV air-defence interceptors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SKAT-220 has a wingspan of 2.2 m and a curb weight of around 12 kg. According to preliminary data, the drone can reach speeds of up to 160 km\/h. By comparison, the baseline SKAT-350M version<\/a> has a top speed in the range of 72\u2013120 km\/h.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u0420\u043e\u0441\u0456\u0439\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439
Russian SKAT reconnaissance UAV<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The drone is powered by an electric motor and can remain airborne for more than 150 minutes. It is catapult-launched and recovers via a parachute system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Astra-PVO can reach speeds of up to 560 km\/h<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Russian military personnel from the 20th Combined Arms Army have developed the Astra-PVO interceptor<\/a> drone. According to the developers, the aircraft reaches a top speed of 560 km\/h.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UAV is engineered to engage high-speed fixed-wing unmanned aircraft. It can neutralise aerial targets via direct kinetic impact or using an integrated warhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Astra-PVO launches vertically and can subsequently operate in several camera modes: vertical, at a 45-degree angle, and in high-speed attack mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The developers state that integrating artificial intelligence systems could further expand the interceptor’s operational capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the counter-UAS interceptor version, the Astra-KZ variant has been developed to engage ground targets using a specialised munition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Zhmyil interceptor deployed against drones<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Russian military personnel have begun deploying the Zhmyil interceptor drone to engage various types of UAVs. Following a successful sortie, the aircraft can return, land, and be reused for subsequent missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u0420\u043e\u0441\u0456\u0439\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439
Russian Zhmyil UAV<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Zhmyil is designed to intercept multiple classes of drones \u2014 from small reconnaissance quadcopters to heavy fixed-wing strike platforms. To engage its target, the drone is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warhead that detonates near the aerial target before trajectory divergence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft features vertical take-off capabilities, with a thermal-imaging variant available for night operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russian Defence Ministry grants developers access to strike drone video archive<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Russian Defence Ministry has granted Russian developers access to a video archive of strike drone operations. The repository initially ingested data from the Knyaz Vandal Novgorodsky fibre-optic drone, but it now aggregates video streams from various frontline strike UAVs, encompassing both fibre-optic and radio-controlled platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to available information, the archive contains hundreds of terabytes of video data prepared for training neural networks across various operational tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enlarged version of the Gerbera<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Russian forces have begun deploying an enlarged version of the Gerbera drone. According to Russian sources, the aircraft utilises half of a 275 cm\u00b3 displacement engine sourced from the Geran-2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upgraded power plant enables higher flight speeds and can accommodate either a warhead weighing up to 50 kg or an auxiliary fuel reservoir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u0417\u0431\u0456\u043b\u044c\u0448\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0439
Enlarged version of the Russian Gerbera. Photo: Serhii Beskrestnov<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

New UAV interceptor variant based on a civilian airframe<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A new UAV interceptor variant based on the commercial ZOHD Talon model aeroplane platform, constructed from expanded polypropylene, has been showcased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least two configurations of the aircraft have been reported: one carrying an OFBC-0.8 high-explosive fragmentation warhead with proximity detonation, and a kinetic interception variant operating without an explosive payload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u0420\u043e\u0441\u0456\u0439\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439
Russian ZOHD interceptor based on a civilian airframe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

According to preliminary data, the interceptor can operate at flight ceilings of up to 5,000 m and reach a top speed of around 150 km\/h. The platform’s primary advantages are its low unit cost and manufacturing scalability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kalashnikov launches serial production of the KUB-10ME with AI elements<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Kalashnikov concern has launched serial production of the KUB-10ME tactical loitering munition<\/a> featuring artificial intelligence capabilities. Alan Lushnikov, the company’s head, stated that the system is already being delivered to frontline units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russian KUB loitering munition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The stated operational range of the KUB-10ME exceeds 100 km, with a warhead payload of 11 kg. The munition incorporates an AI-driven target acquisition system for tracking moving targets, as well as electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM). A redesigned airframe allows the munition to cover greater distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The munition operates in tandem with the SKAT-350M reconnaissance relay UAV, which transmits target designation data in contested electronic warfare environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia presents counter-drone system based on dual UGVs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A Russian counter-UAS system has been developed utilising two unmanned ground vehicles \u2014 the Omich and the Kurier 2.0<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Omich UGV is equipped with a radar station that provides a target detection range of 10\u201315 km; it detects targets and relays real-time data to the operator. Upon operator confirmation, the Kurier 2.0 engages targets using a 12.7 mm NSVT or Kord heavy machine gun paired with a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kurier 2.0 fire control system incorporates an automated target acquisition unit and a ballistic computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n