Ukraine built a $48,000 long-range drone after covertly snapping Chinese factory photos, clone destroys Russian Tu-95 bomber — attack drone has 2,000 km range, country builds 6,000 $48,000 flying-wing drones a year

A Ukrainian-made long-range attack drone, known as the MICH 2000, recently destroyed a Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber at the Engels-2 air base. The drone, reverse-engineered from a Chinese aircraft Beijing refused to sell to Ukraine, costs $48,000 and boasts a 2,000 km range. Ukrainian developers obtained the technology by covertly photographing the Chinese production line while attending pilot training in late 2023.

Although the first prototype crashed during its maiden flight, subsequent tests faced electronic warfare interference, resulting in three downed drones. Despite this, Alpha, the special operations center unit that commissioned the drone, proceeded with production. The MICH 2000, built with 85% domestic content, has been used in various attacks, including a Wildberries logistics hub in Ryazan oblast and the port of Ust-Luga.