Ukrainian Military Deploys ‘Dragon Drone’ to Burn Down Russian-Occupied Areas

CNN reported on the 7th (local time) that the Ukrainian military is deploying so-called “dragon drones” that drop “thermite,” a molten metal substance, from the air onto battlefields to burn down Russian-occupied areas.

A video was posted on social media, including the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Telegram account, showing a Ukrainian military drone flying low over a forested area where Russian troops are stationed and dropping what appears to be fireworks.

What is the ‘Dragon Drone’?

Nicknamed the “Dragon Drone” for its resemblance to a dragon spitting fire from its mouth, the drone weapon drops a molten substance called thermite, a special metal made of aluminum and iron oxide.

Capable of burning at temperatures up to 2,200 degrees, the material could either directly hit Russian troops or quickly set fire to trees or forests hiding them.

Effectiveness of the ‘Dragon Drone’

The Ukrainian 60th Mechanized Brigade posted on social media that the thermite-dropping drones “pose a real threat to enemy forces, burning enemy positions with an accuracy that no other weapon can achieve.”

Nicholas Drummond, a former British military officer and arms industry expert, told CNN that the main effect of the Ukrainian military’s use of thermite drones was to instill fear in the enemy.

“When used in this manner, the effect is more psychological than physical,” Drummond said. “As far as I know, Ukraine currently has limited capabilities to deliver thermite, so this is a niche capability rather than a new primary weapon.”

History of Thermite

Thermite, invented by a German chemist in the 1890s, was originally created for welding train tracks.

There is virtually no way to stop it when used as a weapon, as it can burn almost any substance, including metal.

International Law and Thermite

The use of thermite in military combat is not prohibited under international law, but its use against civilian targets is prohibited because it is lethal to humans.

In a 2022 report, the human rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said incendiary weapons like thermite (a type of ammunition used to start fires) are “notorious for their horrific human toll,” noting that when used on the human body, they can cause fourth- and fifth-degree burns as well as “damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and even bones.”