Ukraine codifies Dovbush T40 for deep strikes and reconnaissance

In August, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense officially standardized the Dovbush T40 unmanned aerial system, a drone capable of conducting precision strikes deep inside Russia and gathering deep reconnaissance data. The drone boasts a range of 2,000 kilometers. The Ministry provided further details about the system through an infographic.

The Dovbush T40 drone is a UAV engineered for deep reconnaissance, artillery fire adjustment, and precision attacks on enemy assets. Ukrainian Defense Forces deployed the UAVs during the August 2026 assault on Novorossiysk, a strike that proved highly successful. The attack resulted in the sinking of four Russian warships, damage to infrastructure, and disruption to air defense systems at the naval base in Novorossiysk.

This facility is a crucial asset for Russia's Black Sea Fleet and serves as its primary presence in the Black Sea. Russia relocated many of its ships to Novorossiysk after Ukraine's Defense Forces made it impossible for them to safely operate in temporarily occupied Crimea. The Dovbush drones utilized in this strike were produced in Ukraine.

Key features of the UAV include a twin-boom design with a low-mounted central nacelle and high-mounted wing, an internal combustion engine with electronic fuel injection, and a rear-mounted engine. The drone possesses an exceptionally low radar profile and is highly resistant to electronic warfare. The Dovbush series of drones is available in multiple variants.

One variant is designed for observation, reconnaissance, and artillery fire adjustment. In 2024, the UAV began serving as a platform for carrying FPV drones. Another variant is optimized for medium-range reconnaissance, real-time artillery fire adjustment, and precision strikes on enemy targets.