How Ukraine Is Retrofitting Its Drones as Aerial Flamethrowers

The Ukrainian military has started deploying drones retrofitted with thermite payloads, effectively transforming its lethal fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into potent "flamethrower" weapons.

Footage shared by Ukraine's 108th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade shows these drones releasing streams of molten thermite over enemy positions, resulting in large plumes of smoke billowing from the impact zones.

The widely circulated video highlights the destructive capability of these modified drones, as the thermite ignites upon contact, creating an inferno capable of obliterating Russian positions. Thermite is still considered less lethal than white phosphorous or napalm.

Ukrainian Telegram channels reported that the combat footage was filmed in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian forces are focusing their advance toward the city of Pokrovsk—a key logistical hub for Ukrainian forces.

Although the specific drone model is unclear, war bloggers suggest that footage from the drone's point of view points to it being one of the larger FPVs.

When ignited, thermite—a mixture of metal powder and metal oxide—can reach temperatures high enough to melt through steel.

"Eastern Ukraine, a Ukrainian drone drops molten thermite on a Russian-held treeline, setting it ablaze," said OSINT Technical, an open-source intelligence account on X (formerly Twitter), sharing the footage circulated by several Ukrainian Telegram accounts.

This tactic is seen as a significant advancement in the use of drones in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, enabling Kyiv to strike Russian positions, particularly in heavily forested areas of the east where enemy forces often seek cover.

Some experts have noted that thermite bombs have become a favored weapon among Ukrainian drone operators, especially for destroying abandoned Russian vehicles.

Thermite has limitations as an incendiary weapon due to its small area of effect. Unlike other incendiaries that burn instantly, a thermite reaction heats a small area to a high temperature over a longer period.

Inside the 'Flamethrower' Drones

The "flamethrower" drone spreads molten iron from a thermite reaction as it flies, creating a rain of white-hot droplets. While troops in bunkers or wearing helmets and body armor are generally safe if they don't look up, the main risk comes from fire.

The thermite ignites flammable materials, particularly in dry conditions, leading to small fires that can grow into larger blazes. These fires and the resulting smoke can force troops to abandon their positions.

The substance's intense heat and the difficulty of extinguishing it raise concerns about potential civilian casualties.

In Ukraine, large open fields are often divided by narrow tree lines, which serve as key defensive positions. These tree lines offer essential cover in a conflict constantly monitored by drones, with the Russian army fortifying its forward defenses along these natural barriers.

The use of thermite-dispensing drones has shown to be effective in military applications, though incendiary weapons poses significant risks if deployed near civilian populations.

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