Russia reportedly used a Molniya drone armed with yellow phosphorus against Ukrainian forces. A video that emerged on social media shows an attack targeting Ukrainian trench positions with incendiary material. The Molniya drones is a cheap mass-produced medium-range drone.

Russia deploys phosphorus-filled Molniya drones over trenches

According to Ukrainian analytical group Vodohrai, Russian forces are using strike drones of the Molniya type equipped with warheads containing yellow phosphorus against Ukrainian troops. According to Militarnyi, Vodohrai received and studied footage from one of the attacks, concluding that the drones have been modified to deliver chemical agents that cause severe harm.

The use of phosphorus compounds in combat can lead to large-scale fires and devastating burn injuries. Yellow phosphorus retains many of the same properties as white phosphorus — it ignites easily and is highly toxic. This makes it especially dangerous when used in drone-delivered attacks against exposed infantry in trenches or dugouts.

Images and footage shared by Vodohrai also show the process of Russian troops extracting yellow phosphorus from mortar rounds. This supports the group’s assessment that Russian forces are attempting to modify standard munitions to increase their destructive potential against personnel, rather than for obscuring movements.

Since 2014, Russian forces have also used 9M22S incendiary munitions launched from multiple rocket systems against Ukrainian territory. The latest development marks a continuation and possible escalation of Russia’s use of incendiary weapons during its war in Ukraine.

Human error when approaching the wreckage of Russian drones can lead to death. Increasingly more Russian "Gerbera" drones, which were previously used for reconnaissance, have begun to be found with warheads inside, says Ukrainian electronic warfare expert Serhii Beskrestnov, also known as "Flash". 

At the same time, Russian forces use an extremely dangerous scheme in which the detonator is activated during the drone's flight, as a result of which it triggers on impact. 

Therefore, transporting a fragment in a car/trunk/bag is deadly dangerous: a bump on the road or shaking can cause an explosion.

From a reconnaissance drone to a lethal trap

He also showed the warhead with a detonator that he found inside one of the "Gerberas".

"In one photo the warhead OFBCh-2 with a UZ-2 detonator. In the second photo the warhead's connection inside the UAV," he notes.

Why "cutting the wires" won't save: detonator set to combat-ready

Flash explains that a signal from the flight controller goes to a relay, which closes and supplies voltage from three batteries to the detonator connector. This is likely to occur according to an altitude criterion.

"This signal does not detonate the warhead, as many think. This signal sets the detonator to combat-ready. Such a scheme allows the crew that launches the "Gerbera" not to take risks," the expert explains.

That is, activation of the detonator occurs during flight. On impact with the ground, the detonator triggers, and the warhead explodes. 

At the same time, he warns: the detonator may not trigger during a smooth landing of the drone; however, it remains in the combat-ready position. That is why such a drone must under no circumstances be thrown or transported in a trunk.

"The main mistake that can cost lives: it is not an electric detonator. Do not think that you cut the wires or disconnected the connector, and everything will be fine. The warhead's detonator is already in the combat position," emphasizes Flash.

This detonator also has self-destruction contacts, "so what nastiness the Russians may come up with in the future, no one knows," the specialist added.

Therefore, if a person finds such a drone, follow the official warnings of rescuers and do not approach the wreckage, do not transport it, and do not try to disassemble it.

The ratio of Russia’s use of ballistic missiles with 480 kg warheads to cruise missiles has increased in 2025 compared to previous years. Additionally, the Russians are refining their deployment methods for Iskander-M systems, which are capable of destroying residential buildings, making it more difficult for Patriot systems to intercept them, according to RBC-Ukraine.

The missile subtly changes course while the battery tries to keep up automatically

This challenge is compounded by the fact that the Iskander-M missile can make minor course adjustments as it approaches its target.

As Yurii Ihnat, Head of Communications for the Air Force Command, has noted that the Patriot system intercepts ballistic missiles automatically, which makes it harder to determine the precise moment to engage a maneuvering missile.

Ballistic missiles make sharp trajectory changes

Russian occupiers have also begun using Iskander-M more frequently and from multiple directions, often combining them with other tools, such as drones and cruise missiles.

“This, in turn, makes them even harder to intercept. A Patriot battery during an attack can only 'look' in one direction. It cannot engage targets 360 degrees around it,” the military official added.

Despite these challenges, Patriot systems continue to operate effectively, achieving confirmed interceptions of both Iskanders and Kinzhal missiles.

Barracuda-500 opens up a new 900 km strike potential for Poland. Manufacturing these missiles would theoretically allow Warsaw to reach Moscow, writes military portal Defence Express.

“The presence of Barracuda-500 in the Polish military’s arsenal would theoretically allow them to strike even Moscow, which lies roughly 900 km from the state border,” the analysts say. 

Can Barracuda-500 production spread fast? 

For now, the discussion concerns producing these missiles only for Poland’s own needs, and does not even touch on the possibility of supplying them to Ukraine, although that scenario is entirely realistic.

In addition, the US Air Force also wants to purchase more than 3,000 Barracuda-500 missiles.

“Ukraine had already expressed interest in the Barracuda-500, which is intended to replace or complement the Tomahawk,” the experts explain.

The missiles were first revealed in autumn 2024, and since then, production has also been rolled out in Taiwan.

“Therefore, looking ahead, it is quite possible that Barracuda-500 production could be established in Ukraine in a relatively short time,” the experts believe. 

The cheap missile ready to strike from fighters or transport planes

“The price of one Barracuda-500 is estimated at $216,500, which is very low for a cruise missile," the experts added. 

Barracuda missiles can be launched from airborne platforms such as the F-15E, F-18E/F, and F-16, and also from any transport aircraft, even an An-26, on Rapid Dragon pallets.