Ukraine

Why Ukraine's new long-range attack drone could prove to be a game-changer

Watch: Palianytsia - Could Ukraine's new long-range missile drone be a game-changer?

Cheap to build and homegrown, the Palianytsia has been unveiled as Ukraine's new long-range missile drone.

But could it be a game-changer for Ukraine? 

President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed its first combat use, destroying a Russian ammunition dump.

He says it will defend Ukraine by destroying Russian aircraft before they get airborne along with key military infrastructure, a tactic known as "killing the archer, not the arrows".

Watch: Ukrainian troops training in UK receive special video message from Zelensky.

The advantage of this homegrown weapon is that unlike Western-supplied long-range missiles such as Storm Shadow or ATACMS, the Palianytsia can be fired at a target deep inside Russia without permission or any restrictions.

It is estimated to have a range of around 370 miles, putting up to 20 Russian airbases within reach.

A turbojet ensures high speed, but the missile's key strength is expected to be the ability to produce it in great numbers.

Some military analysts say firing 30 at a target can inflict more damage than one very expensive ATACMS missile.

Only one needs to get through air defences to destroy an aircraft or start a fire at a fuel storage tank or weapons store. 

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