Russia’s Cheap, Jet-Powered Banderol Missile-Drone Is Straining Ukraine’s Air Defenses
Russia’s low-cost, jet-powered Banderol missile-drone combines speed and maneuverability, making it difficult to intercept. Photo: Russian Orion UAV carrying Banderol missiles. Courtesy of Russian media. Russia is increasingly using jet-powered Banderol loitering munitions against Ukraine. Faster and more maneuverable than conventional Shahed drones, they are harder for basic air defenses to intercept but cheap enough to launch in large numbers. Although Patriot interceptors can destroy