Ukraine’s new jet-powered drone is intended to “kill the archer, not the arrow,” hitting Russian aircraft on the ground before they can take off and launch attacks.
As Russia ramps up its long-range drone and missile attacks, Ukraine is responding in kind. On Monday, President Zelensky announced the first combat use of a new Ukrainian long-range weapon called Palianytsia, which he described as a “rocket drone.”
Zelenksky said the new weapon will defend Ukraine by striking Russian aircraft on the ground before they can take off to launch missiles. This approach, termed “killing the archer not the arrows,” has been widely advocated in Ukraine and has scored some notable successes. Satellite images suggest the August 22nd drone strike on Marinovka air base destroyed and damaged several bombers.
What do we know about Palianytsia? Is it a drone, a missile, or something else? And can it really tip the balance in killing the archer?Bread Which Detects Enemies
Palianytsia or palyanytsia is a Ukrainian staple, a type of bread traditionally baked on a hearth rather than inside an oven. It symbolizes Ukrainian identity just as apple pie symbolizes America. Further, the word is difficult for non-natives to pronounce correctly, and in the early stages of the war it was used as a test to spot Russian saboteurs and infiltrators.
The name then emphasizes that this is a locally-made, 100% Ukrainian weapon, which, unlike the ATACMS, Storm Shadow and other missiles supplied by allies, can strike targets inside Russia without restrictions or asking permission.
The video which accompanied Zelensky’s announcement indicated that Palianytsia could reach more than 20 Russian air bases, implying a range of at least 370 miles. That is less than some of Ukraine’s existing long-range attack drones, some of which can strike at ranges of more than 1,000 miles.
Ukraine has a thriving defense sector of small companies making a bewildering variety of attack drones – analyst HI Sutton has documented some 24 types – but the new weapon appears to fit a particular niche.Like A Cruise Missile But Different
The video notes that details like the size and speed of Palianytsia are classified, but says that its engine is a turbojet; the rocket/jet confusion is likely a matter of translation. There are, in fact rocket-powered drones though, like the latest version of Raytheon’s Coyote, a development of an earlier propeller-driven Coyote drone.
This has provoked all sorts of discussions about what counts as a missile. Ukraine’s Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin told Kyiv Post that the new weapon is “both a drone and a missile. ” The problem is that there are no hard and fast definitions.
