Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on the country’s Independence Day (August 24) that a domestically developed missile drone has been successfully deployed on the battlefield, dealing blows to the Russian forces. Interestingly, this new weapon is named after a traditional Ukrainian bread called “Palyanytsya”.
According to Kyiv Post, Zelensky stated, “Today, for the first time, our new weapon has been successfully used in combat. This is a brand new weapon – Ukraine’s ‘Palyanytsya’ missile/drone.”
He said, “This is our new way of retaliation against aggressors. The enemy has been hit. I thank everyone involved in providing it – all the developers, manufacturers, and our soldiers. I am proud of you.”
Although it was speculated that the attack on a Russian ammunition depot in Voronezh the night before Zelensky announced the “Palyanytsya” was its first combat mission, Ukraine’s Minister of Strategic Industries, Oleksandr Kamyshin, stated that the weapon has not yet been used within Russian territory.
Kamyshin mentioned, “It is a drone, it is also a missile… more missile drones will be coming, just like there are more long-range attack drones already… this is the next step in Ukrainian defense technology development. We look forward to the moment when its effectiveness is shown to the enemy.”
Due to restrictions from Western countries on Ukraine using the weapons they provide within Russian territory, Ukraine has been focusing on developing its own long-range weaponry. It has previously used traditional long-range drones to target locations within Russia, such as the Olenya airport approximately 1,800 kilometers from the border.
The news of the jet-powered drone “Palyanytsya” has been circulating for some time. Images and footage of its test flights have appeared on Ukrainian and Russian social media.
According to Defense Blog, the specific targets or locations where “Palyanytsya” has been deployed have not been publicly disclosed due to the sensitivity of the operation. However, this announcement marks a significant advancement in Ukraine’s military capabilities, particularly as the country continues to defend against Russian aggression.
“Palyanytsya” is a long-range drone launched from the ground and powered by a turbojet engine. Its engine is adjustable to achieve optimal fuel efficiency, enabling it to maintain an economical flight speed over long distances.
Ukrainian media outlet United24 shared a simulated flight video of “Palyanytsya” on social media, allowing people to witness the aerodynamic design of the drone. Its fuselage features a front wing and a tail equipped with four control surfaces, resembling traditional cruise missiles.
The media outlet mentioned that over 20 military airfields within Russia fall within the attack range of “Palyanytsya,” but almost all technical details about the drone are currently classified.
As for why this drone is named after a traditional Ukrainian bread like “Palyanytsya,” it holds both symbolic and practical significance.
The pronunciation of “Palyanytsya” differs slightly in Russian and Ukrainian, making it challenging for Russians to pronounce correctly. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this word gained more cultural resonance, symbolizing Ukraine’s identity and resistance.