A drone expert believes the attack on the Kremlin, which Moscow attributes to Ukraine, was carried out by a “relatively experienced operator”, not necessarily a state actor, who may have used a Chinese-made Mugin-5 drone, equipment that can be bought for less than for $10,000, The Guardian reports, citing News.ro.

Samuel Bendett, a drone specialist at the US Center for Naval Analyses, said that based on video of the second raid, the drone used “appears to be thin-winged”. This indicates an attack by an established operator, though not necessarily a state actor, using a drone such as the $9,500 Chinese-made Mugin-5.

Drones have a longer range and flight duration than simple and cheap quadcopters, and a device like the Mugin-5 can theoretically fly for 7 hours at a speed of about 120 km per hour, which makes it possible to work for a long time. distance

Analysts also suggested it could be a Ukrainian-made UJ-22 drone, which has a similar speed and range as listed on the manufacturer’s website, but the short video and difficulty zooming in for a clear image prevented any definite identification.

Ukrainian actors or Russian guerrillas have been credited with a series of drone raids on Russian territory, including a late April attack on the Russian-occupied Crimean city of Sevastopol that Russian sources said was carried out with the help of a swarm of Mugin-5s.

The drones can be pre-programmed to engage a specific target from a distance, but it was still surprising to be able to get so close to the Kremlin before apparently being shot down, The Guardian notes.

It would also raise questions about the quality of Russian air defense.

“Russian analysts have suggested since last year that they cannot protect the entire country and that some loopholes can be exploited,” explained Samuel Bendett, although “it is not clear why this drone was not intercepted in the sky over Moscow.” AFP.

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