Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky unveiled a newly developed weapon for the embattled nation’s armed forces, stating that the Palyanyitsya drone missile is to be integrated into Ukraine’s missile programme on Saturday.
The development of the Ukrainian long-range drone missile Palianytsia was completed in eighteen months, with several dozen Russian military air bases falling within its range.
[Palianytsia, a type of bread, is a Ukrainian word that Russians find difficult to pronounce properly. Since the full-scale Russian invasion started, Ukrainians have used the word as a means to identify Russian military or saboteurs]
Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Quote:
“In the two and a half years of full-scale war, Russia has launched about 10,000 missiles of various types and more than 33,000 glide bombs at Ukraine. Stopping attacks on our cities can be achieved by targeting the carriers of this weaponry – Russian aircraft stationed at military airfields.
Yesterday, the first successful combat use of our new weapon – the Ukrainian long-range rocket drone Palianytsia – took place. It was designed domestically to destroy the enemy’s offensive potential.
The number of rocket drones produced will grow just like our long-range strike drones production did, the efficiency of which we see almost daily.”
Details:
The video posted by the president notes that one of the most effective ways to counter Russian missile attacks is to target the carriers of these weapons – Russian military airfields.
However, Ukraine’s allies have not authorised the use of the supplied weapons for this purpose.
Therefore, Ukraine has introduced a grant programme for private missile projects, invested in state-owned design bureaus, and deregulated the industry to stimulate innovation. The Palianytsia missile is the first outcome of these efforts.
Details about the Palianytsia missile are largely classified. This drone missile can reach approximately two dozen Russian military airfields and was developed in just one and a half years. It is launched from a ground-based platform and features a turbojet engine. The cost of the Palianytsia is significantly lower than that of similar missiles, with ongoing efforts to further reduce costs and increase production.
The existence of a long-range jet-propelled kamikaze drone had been rumored for some time after images of the debris ofa jet powered flying wing drone was shared on Russian social media in June. The military technology expert HI Sutton,writing on the Covert Shores website, produced his assessment of the make-up and capability of that drone:
What’s in a name?
The choice of Palyanytsya as the name for the UAV showsthat someone has a sense of humor. It is the name of a traditional, round, hearth-baked wheat bread often eaten for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.
It is also a word that many Russians struggle to pronounce correctly and a way to identify Russian saboteurs. It was also said to have become a frequent password at roadblocks and check points.
During World War II, legend has it that the Dutch resistance could identify German spies because they were unable topronounce the name of the town of Scheveningen.
Russians may still not be able to pronounce it, but Ukrainians hope they will soon understand Palyanytsya’s new meaning with full force.
Top Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint news conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte outside the Mariinskyi Palace on the 33rd Independence Day of Ukraine. -/Ukrinform/dpa
Sources: UKRAINSKA PRAVDA ; Kyiv Post; yahoo!news