LandEuro 2025: Ukrainian Vampire Drone Emerges as Fearsome Night‑Striking Weapon Against Russian Forces.

Displayed at LANDEURO 2025, a defense exhibition in Wiesbaden, Germany by the Ukrainian Defense Innovations, the Vampire drone represents a major leap forward in Ukraine’s battlefield drone capabilities, tailored specifically for night operations and frontline support. Designed to complement Ukraine’s growing ecosystem of autonomous systems, the Vampire serves as both an attack and resupply platform, enabling precision engagements and critical logistics under the cover of darkness. It has become a core asset in Ukraine’s evolving drone warfare strategy and is now widely deployed across contested sectors of the front line.
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Ukrainian Vampire multi-role drone on display at LANDEURO 2025 showcasing night strike and resupply capabilities. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The Vampire is a six-rotor heavy hexacopter developed by Ukrainian defense company SkyFall to meet the urgent needs of mobile units engaged in dynamic frontline operations. The drone has a maximum payload capacity of 15 kg, a flight endurance of approximately 23 minutes, and an effective operational range of up to 20 km. It operates at altitudes of up to 400 meters and is equipped with advanced bispectral thermal imaging cameras, secure GNSS navigation, and hardened communication systems designed to withstand Russian electronic warfare interference. The Vampire's modular weapon mount allows operators to configure the drone for various tasks, including delivery of thermobaric, cumulative, or fragmentation munitions, as well as aerial deployment of anti-tank mines such as the TM-62.

Ukrainian forces have utilized the Vampire in several operational roles, particularly in nighttime strike missions aimed at degrading Russian infantry positions, vehicle columns, and logistics hubs. The drone’s quiet flight profile and high precision make it ideal for surprise attacks on enemy trenches and fortifications. In multiple confirmed instances, brigades such as the 25th Airborne and 100th Mechanized have employed the Vampire to conduct consecutive strike sorties in a single night, disrupting Russian assaults and forcing enemy units to alter their tactics. The drone is also used to deliver critical supplies—including ammunition, food, and medical equipment—to troops under fire, often during high-risk missions where conventional delivery methods are too dangerous.

The integration of the Vampire with robotic ground systems and FPV loitering drones has significantly improved the flexibility and survivability of Ukrainian frontline units. It can be launched from concealed positions close to the line of contact, complete its mission autonomously or via remote control, and return under heavy electronic jamming thanks to its resilient systems. With minimal training time—operators reportedly becoming proficient within three hours—the Vampire has quickly become one of the most fielded multi-role drones in the Ukrainian military’s tactical arsenal.

On the psychological front, Russian troops have reportedly nicknamed the drone “Baba Yaga,” reflecting its eerie and relentless night attacks that instill fear and confusion among opposing forces. Beyond its direct combat utility, the Vampire has also been deployed in cross-border strikes into Russian-held territories such as Kursk, where it has targeted ammunition stockpiles, vehicle depots, and troop concentrations. These missions have contributed to shaping the battlefield by reducing Russia’s ability to mass forces undetected and by striking deep into areas previously considered safe from Ukrainian reach.

The Vampire drone’s emergence is emblematic of Ukraine’s rapid wartime innovation, where field-tested solutions evolve into scalable platforms capable of reshaping modern conflict. As the war continues, the Vampire is expected to play a key role in both tactical disruption and sustaining the resilience of Ukrainian combat units operating in high-risk, high-intensity environments.