Russia demonstrates incendiary drones during military exercises

Russian President Vladimir Putin observed military maneuvers in the Ural Mountains as part of the ‘Center-2026’ exercises. The drills featured the demonstration of new drone technology, specifically the Giran-4 and Giran-5 models, which were shown releasing incendiary substances that appeared as streams of fire onto ground targets.

The large-scale exercises involved thousands of soldiers and included participation from Chinese forces. Other technologies showcased during the maneuvers included the Zarya laser system for destroying drones at a range of 6 kilometers, the Izdelie 347 missile system, Tu-22M3 bombers, and T-14 Armata and T-90M Proryv tanks.

While the use of incendiary materials via drones has been observed in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, these demonstrations highlight Russia's continued efforts to expand the combat roles and production of unmanned aerial vehicles for targeting fortifications and ground forces.