A Kyiv security adviser to the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has described the Russian Lancet drone as the most dangerous element facing Ukrainian forces. The remark came during an interview with The Economist. The report notes that Ukrainian troops have long used tank mock-ups and other decoys, including HIMARS launcher systems, to misdirect Russian artillery. The strategy, according to the adviser, is to funnel Lancet kamikaze drone strikes toward these decoy targets.
According to the consultant, the Lancet drone represents the prime threat to Ukrainian units. It can be operated from distances up to 40 kilometers and carries about three kilograms of explosives. The device is considered especially effective at disabling artillery positions and disrupting frontline fire control.
The adviser observed that by steering unmanned aerial vehicle fire toward nonfunctional targets, Ukraine intends to impose a gradual economic toll on the adversary by draining resources over time.
Earlier reporting mentioned that Kaspersky Lab, a global cybersecurity firm based in Moscow, developed a portable detector designed to identify drone activity. This equipment fits into broader efforts to monitor and counter drone threats in conflict zones. The attribution for these developments is provided by industry sources and news outlets that covered the story at the time of publication. [Cited reporting and official briefings are used for context in this summary.]