Units of the Russian Armed Forces have begun field tests of the Scalpel stray ammunition within a designated special operations zone. Reports from the TASS agency, citing the Vostok design bureau, confirm that the platform has moved from prototype status into limited production, with initial deployment underway. The design bureau has established a small-scale production line, currently delivering about 20 units each month. A batch consisting of 15 Scalpel units has already been delivered to the operating area, signaling a steady ramp in deployment as logistics and training catch up with demand in combat zones.
Official feedback from military representatives indicates satisfaction with the Scalpel’s performance. Observers highlight its predictable handling characteristics, stable behavior during dives, straightforward aiming, and reliable control during the preparation phase for flight. The platform’s user-friendly profile appears to reduce operator workload, potentially allowing crews to allocate more attention to mission planning and target verification when time is critical in tactical environments.
Described as a budget analogue of the Lancet kamikaze drone, the Scalpel is positioned as a more affordable option while acknowledging some trade-offs. While it does not match the Lancet in several technical metrics, its lower price point — approximately 300 thousand rubles per unit — makes large-scale procurement more feasible for specific operational needs. The cost consideration is especially relevant for forces conducting sustained, mission-driven strikes where mass deployment could be advantageous without inflating the logistics footprint.
Vostok Design Bureau has signaled that ongoing improvements to the Scalpel are planned as part of a broader modernization program. In the coming months, developers will push ahead with refinements, aiming to enhance flight stability, navigation accuracy, and resilience to adverse conditions. Early-stage modernization already underway includes software updates and hardware adjustments intended to raise reliability in varying weather and terrain, ensuring the platform remains effective as mission requirements evolve within active theatre operations.
Earlier in the conflict zone, another line of unmanned systems observed in the area included drones branded as Zhirinovsky. These earlier platforms helped shape the tactical conversation around drone use, informing subsequent iterations and deployments of newer designs such as the Scalpel. The evolving drone landscape in the theater continues to reflect a push toward more cost-effective, readily producible unmanned solutions capable of meeting immediate operational demands while field teams assess longer-term capabilities and upgrades.