Russia Unveils Jet-Powered BM-35 Drone With 217 Mph Speed

Russian propagandists have aired a segment showcasing the use of a jet-powered BM-35 attack drone, which they claim can reach speeds exceeding 350 km/h (217 mph) and cover distances up to 200 km (124 miles). Serhii Beskrestnov, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, highlighted the report regarding the drone’s capabilities.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. According to the Russian operators featured in the segment, the BM-35 does not require complex preparation. They stated the drone can be launched within minutes from any terrain using a mobile platform. The propagandists claimed that an operator can control the drone throughout its entire flight trajectory, essentially in a First-Person View (FPV) mode. They further asserted that Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) systems do not affect the drone’s signal. The BM-35 reportedly carries a 22-pounds warhead. The operators claimed the 124-mile range allows them to strike targets deep in the rear, while the speed of over 217 mph prevents Ukrainian interceptors from catching the apparatus. According to the report, the components are prepared in advance at a warehouse, leaving only the assembly of the drone, installation of the warhead, and the launch to be completed at the firing position. The operators stated that up to three drones can be launched simultaneously and that the warhead disperses up to a thousand fragmentation elements over a 650-feet (198-meter) radius upon detonation. Other Topics of Interest Drone Attacks Spark Large Fires at Wildberries Hubs Near Moscow Suspected Ukrainian drone strikes ignite massive fires at two major logistics hubs near Moscow, including the largest Wildberries warehouse. Foreign components in Russian weapons The development follows recent reports from Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) regarding the integration of advanced foreign technology into new Russian weapons systems. On Aug. 12, HUR reported that its specialists had identified an Nvidia Jetson Orin computer module inside Russia’s new S-71 Monochrome air-launched cruise missile. The agency stated that the use of this module potentially indicates the integration of artificial intelligence technologies into the weapon. The finding was published on the HUR’s War&Sanctions portal, which documents foreign electronic components found in Russian weapons. The intelligence agency noted that the latest research identified 35 foreign electronic components in the S-71 Monochrome. Ukrainian specialists have also identified parts of a passive radar seeker that Russia has begun installing on Geran-2 drones, designed to detect and strike Ukrainian air-defense systems. Additionally, researchers identified a Chinese Honpho TS130C-01 camera from a Geran-4 jet-powered drone and components of the active radar seeker used in Russia’s Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile. HUR stated that the continued discovery of foreign high-tech components demonstrates that Russia has been unable to fully replace them with domestic alternatives, underscoring the need for increased sanctions pressure. The agency noted that limited production capacity prevents Russian forces from maintaining continuous, high-intensity drone launches, forcing them to build up reserves prior to major attacks. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.