Ukrainian forces have destroyed a storage and maintenance site for Russian Orion strike and reconnaissance drones in occupied Crimea, near the settlement of Kirovske, according to the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), Robert “Madyar” Brovdi.
In a Telegram post, Brovdi said that fighters from the “Madyar’s Birds” unit carried out the strike in the early hours of Nov. 13.
“This scab is a carrier of aerial bombs and air-to-ground missiles, a valuable and rare stray,” Brovdi wrote, referring to the Russian Orion drone.
He recalled that on Sept. 13, fighters from the 414th Brigade of “Madyar’s Birds” had already shot down one of these drones in mid-air.
“Flown enough, motherf***er. Shot down strike reconnaissance aircraft ‘Orion,’ 414th separate brigade ‘Madyar’s Birds,’ Topot Team. Orion remained for dessert,” Brovdi wrote on Telegram at the time.
According to Brovdi, the destruction of the storage facility in Crimea was a logical continuation of that earlier operation.
“Today overnight, 11/13/25, the birds of the 1st separate USF Center (transformed from the 14th USF Regiment) finally pecked at the lair,” he said.
The report was accompanied by drone footage showing the destruction of the facility, as well as footage of the Orion shootdown from Sept. 13. Kyiv Post was unable to independently verify the time and location of the video.
(Video by Robert “Madyar” Brovdi / Telegram)
The Orion UAV, which entered service with the Russian army in 2020, is a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone developed by Russia’s Kronstadt company, reportedly using Israeli technology.
It can be armed with various munitions, including KAB-20, KAB-50, UPAB-50, and FAB-50guided aerial bombs.
Aviation analyst and deputy director of a Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) company, Anatoly Khrapchinsky, told Ukrainian Radio in late 2024 that the Orion relies heavily on imported components.
“There is very little Russian tech there,” he said. “Even the engine is Austrian. It’s heavy and expensive.”
He added that Russia continues to acquire these parts through third-party countries such as Kazakhstan.
Ukrainian intelligence has said that about a third of the companies involved in producing Russia’s Orion drones are not yet under international sanctions, which poses an ongoing threat by enabling the supply of critical components to Moscow’s defense industry.
“Such developments as ‘Orion’ pose a danger not only to Ukraine but also to the entire civilized world,” Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) said. “Technologies and components can be transferred to Russia’s allies – Iran and North Korea – increasing the risks of their military use in other regions.”
Among the identified companies are manufacturers of optoelectronic systems, ground communication stations, and polymer composite materials used in drone construction.
Weighing about 1,150 kilograms (2,500 pounds), the Orion can fly for up to 24 hours at altitudes of 7,500 meters (25,000 feet) and carry a payload of around 200 kilograms (440 pounds). It is primarily used for surveillance, providing real-time battlefield intelligence, and conducting strike missions.
While its exact price remains unclear, estimates suggest each unit costs more than $5 million, with Russia’s Defense Ministry reportedly spending around $30 million developing the prototype.
In July, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) released footage showing an FPV drone downing another Orion – a rare example of such a large reconnaissance-strike UAV being destroyed by an anti-aircraft drone.
The Defense Express outlet commented: “This is at least the first time this UAV has been caught on video being brought down by an anti-aircraft drone. It may also be the first time such a truly ‘fat’ target has ever been hunted down this way.”