Since Russia began its war in Ukraine in February 2022, its military has regularly used long-range weapons manufactured at home. However, Ukrainian forces have not been able to counter with their own weapons.

Furthermore, the missiles Ukraine receives from its allies have range and deployment limitations regarding its use on Russian territory.

To change the country's defense and reduce its dependence on weapons supplies from its partners, Ukraine has been working to implement it's own missile program.

"Russians will find it quite difficult even to pronounce the name. It will be just as difficult for them to defend themselves against this drone. But understanding what they've done to deserve it won't be a problem," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joked about the new Palyanytsya combat drone.

"Palyanytsya" is the Ukrainian word for bread and is often used humorously, as most Russians have trouble pronouncing it.

Zelenskyy said during a speech in late August to celebrate the country's Independence Day that the first and most successful combat use of our new weapon has already taken place.

"There are some components coming from abroad, but the design and the full manufacturing comes from Ukraine," Alexander Kamyshin, Ukraine's Minister of Strategic Industries, told DW.

According to the United24 platform, which posted the video of the Palyanytsya drone, Ukrainian specialists developed this weapon over the course of a year and a half. Palyanytsya is equipped with a turbojet engine and, therefore, has a much higher speed than drones with combustion engines. It is also furnished........

© Deutsche Welle