Fri Dec 06 15:21:50 UTC 2024: ## Ukraine Unveils New Long-Range Rocket Drone, ‘Peklo’
**Kyiv, Ukraine** – Ukraine showcased a domestically produced long-range rocket drone on Friday, boasting a range exceeding 700 kilometers (430 miles). This surpasses the range of Western-supplied missiles currently in Ukraine’s arsenal by more than double. The drone, named “Peklo” (Hell in Ukrainian), is the second such weapon system unveiled by Kyiv in its efforts to strike deep into Russian territory.
Ukroboronprom, Ukraine’s state arms manufacturer, stated the drone can reach speeds of 700 kph. However, further details regarding its capabilities, including concrete evidence of its range and speed, were not provided. Ukrainian officials cited security concerns regarding the release of sensitive information to Russia.
The drone, described as over a meter long with wings and tail fins, is comparable to a cruise missile, according to Ukraine’s arms minister. This contrasts with the approximately 300-kilometer range of the US-supplied ATACMS missiles.
This development comes as Ukraine seeks to counter Russia’s extensive use of long-range missiles and drones against Ukrainian military and civilian infrastructure. While allies previously resisted supplying long-range weaponry, Ukraine has independently pursued the development of its own long-range strike capabilities. The country has also employed propeller drones with ranges up to 1,000 kilometers for similar purposes.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, present at Friday’s handover ceremony to the armed forces, previously announced Ukraine’s development of four different missile systems. Despite successful test launches, the program has faced challenges due to global supply chain disruptions.
First Piper 