The Secret Behind The Unusual Ukrainian Armed Forces Drone That Appeared Over Russia Has Been Revealed
- 16.08.2026, 18:51
Its silhouette resembles that of an American bomber.
The name and schematics of a drone with an unusual, angular silhouette—which had previously been captured on video during one of the attacks on the Saratov Region—have appeared online. The drone drew attention for its distinctive shape, reminiscent of the American Lockheed F-117A stealth bomber, writes "Dialog".
According to available information, the drone spotted in Russian airspace may turn out to be the British Nyan strike drone of the One Way Effector class, developed by Callen-Lenz—a division of the defense contractor BAE Systems. This was reported by the British newspaper The Sunday Times.
Technical Specifications
According to the developer, the Nyan has a wingspan of 2.9 meters, a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 75 kg, and a payload capacity of up to approximately 20 kg. The aircraft is equipped with a gas turbine engine and is capable of traveling more than 250 km, depending on fuel capacity and flight profile. Its cruising speed is approximately 120 knots (about 220 km/h). The drone is launched from a pneumatic catapult.
Based on published images and diagrams, the Nyan features an aerodynamic configuration similar to a “flying wing”: a wide, flat fuselage transitions smoothly into the wing; there is no traditional tail section; and the airframe’s contours are distinctly angular and swept-back. It is precisely this geometry that visually resembles low-observable aircraft such as the F-117.
Further credence to this version is provided by a report in The Sunday Times published on August 16: according to the publication, Ukraine has already used British drones to strike targets on Russian territory, and among the drones deployed was the Nyan jet drone manufactured by Callen-Lenz. The newspaper notes that the drone is made of carbon fiber and has previously been used, in particular, in an attack on the Belgorod region.
BAE Systems positions the Nyan as a single-use strike vehicle (One Way Effector), designed to penetrate deep into enemy defenses and engage targets under active countermeasures. In 2026, the drone underwent testing by the British armed forces, including the Army and the Royal Navy.