Ukrainian drone that smashed TU-95 bomber is based on a smuggled UAV China refused to sell
A Russian TU-95 bomber destroyed on the tarmac was taken out by a Ukrainian drone developed from smuggled Chinese UAV technology.
A Ukrainian drone strike on July 16, 2026, successfully destroyed a Tupolev Tu-95 bomber while it was stationed at a base in western Russia. The Ukrainian drones utilized in the attack were based on the Chinese ZTK-150 UAV, but China had stopped selling these drones since 2023. Ukraine developed their own version of the drone, the MICH 2000, after the ZTK-150 sales ban.
The MICH 2000 is nearly identical to the ZTK-150, but was customized for the specific needs of the Russo-Ukrainian war. It is reported that Ukraine obtained the drone technology through espionage at the ZTK-150 assembly line, despite it being banned for export. The MICH 2000 costs slightly less than the ZTK-150 and has been mass-produced, with over 6,000 units potentially increasing to 10,000 annually.
These drones are equipped with various customization options, such as different warhead types, fuel tanks, electronic countermeasure protection, and communication systems. The drones have been proven effective in recent attacks on Russian military aircraft, potentially changing the course of the conflict.
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