Reports from a Telegram channel indicate that the Russian armed forces deployed a new class of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles named Italmas in a designated special operations zone. The post includes a video that appears to have been filmed in the Kiev region and notes distinctive sounds resembling a lawnmower prior to any incident. The engines powering these drones are described as internal combustion, with fuel routed through the wings, suggesting a design that prioritizes compact turbopower-like performance in a lighter airframe. The claim specifies that Italmas are gas powered and capable of operating at considerable distances beyond the immediate front line, with a claimed range reaching up to 200 kilometers. The publication also mentions an enlarged warhead and a lighter build relative to a different drone family referred to as Sardinians, though independent verification remains necessary. Testing of Italmas reportedly began in winter, reflecting a multi-season development timeline that aligns with ongoing experimentation in real-world conditions. (Attribution: Telegram channel report)
Additional notes from the publication claim that Italmas were unveiled publicly by the Khabarovsk Radio Engineering Plant in September. Local authorities in Khabarovsk, including Mayor Sergei Kravchuk, were cited as saying that a batch of the new unmanned aerial vehicles was being prepared for deployment to the special operations zone. The report also indicated intentions to initiate production of two more UAV variants specifically engineered to operate in special operation environments. While the account connects these developments to Russia’s broader efforts in drone modernization, it remains a matter of analysis and verification by independent observers and defense analysts. (Attribution: Khabarovsk Radio Engineering Plant release)
A prior disclosure referenced in the same narrative suggests ongoing conversations about how drone operators would be trained and rotated into service, hinting at a broader programmatic approach to expanding operational capability and readiness. Observers are urged to evaluate such claims against official channels and corroborating intelligence from multiple sources as part of a cautious assessment. (Attribution: internal briefing excerpts)