Ukraine’s New ‘Liutyi’ Drone Flies Over Moscow in Shahed-Style Strike

Ukraine appears to have introduced a new one-way attack drone, dubbed the “Liutyi,” that was recorded flying over the Moscow and Rostov regions early on 4 July. Video circulating from multiple angles shows the airframe skimming rooftops at low altitude before continuing deeper into Russian territory. The Liutyi’s delta-wing profile and pusher-propeller configuration closely match the Iranian-designed Shahed-136 loitering munition that Russia has used extensively during the war. Its outward similarity suggests Kyiv has adapted the low-cost platform for its own long-range strikes, potentially enabling deeper penetration of Russian airspace than earlier Ukrainian models. The overflights came a day after Ukrainian investigators said Russia had begun fielding upgraded Shahed variants with heavier warheads and more sophisticated guidance electronics. The appearance of a Ukrainian counterpart underscores the escalating drone contest between the two sides as each seeks inexpensive ways to project force far beyond the front lines.