Baba Yaga (aircraft)

Baba Yaga is the nickname for a number of Ukrainian heavy bomber drones used during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.^[1][2] Several models are referred as Baba Yaga, including Aerorozvidka R18, Kazhan [uk], Nemesis and Vampire [uk].^[3][2][4]

Baba Yaga
Type	UAV Bomber drone
Place of origin	Ukraine
Service history
In service	2022–present
Used by	Ukrainian Armed Forces Russian Armed Forces (captured)
Wars	Russian invasion of Ukraine

Nickname

"Baba Yaga" is a reference to the Slavic mythological creature Baba Yaga,^[1] a supernatural witch who flies around in a cauldron or mortar.^[5] In August 2023, The Daily Beast reported that Chechen soldiers of the Russian armed forces claimed the drone had claws and could abduct soldiers.^[6]

Gallery

• 
  Drone calibration
• 
  In flight
• 
  Suspended bombs
• 
  Operators
• Video of destruction by Russian FPV quadcopter

Construction

Baba Yaga are large multirotor drones, with four, six or eight rotors.^[3][7][8] They are equipped with an infrared (thermal imaging) camera and able to carry up to a 15-kilogram (33 lb) rocket warhead.^[1][2]

Baba Yaga originated from an agricultural octocopter.^[9] Russian-state media reported use of the drones in the eastern Donbas was based on heavy agricultural drones, and were nicknamed Baba Yaga after "a ferocious old woman."^[9]

Use

Baba Yaga was used both as a bomber deploying "mortar-sized munitions" and also as a "mother-ship" drone equipped with a signal repeater, anti-jamming equipment, batteries, and directional antennas.^[9] Its ability to function as a signal repeater extended the battery life and range of secondary drones.^[10] The drones have been used primarily at night during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.^[11]

Capture

In December 2023, it was reported that Russian forces had captured a Ukrainian Baba Yaga drone operating through the Starlink satellite network.^[12] On 27 June 2024, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its troops use the drones in bombing and cargo delivery missions.^[13]