Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian forces have shot down a Russian Orion combat reconnaissance drone worth several million dollars, marking the first confirmed destruction of this type of UAV, the commander of Ukraine’s Drone Systems Forces Robert “Magyar” Brovdi announced on Sept. 13 via Telegram.
“An Orion combat reconnaissance drone has just been shot down. The 414th Reconnaissance Battalion ‘Magyar’s Birds,’ Team Topit. Wingspan – 16.3 meters, flight endurance – 24 hours,” Magyar said. He noted that since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, his “Birds” unit has downed more than 1,500 enemy drones, including Orlan, Zala, Supercam, Shahed, Geran, and Lancet models. “The largest drones destroyed until now were the Merlin and Forpost. Orion was saved for dessert,” he added.
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The Orion, classified as a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone, is one of Russia’s most advanced UAVs. Equipped for visual, radar, and electronic reconnaissance, it is capable of long-duration patrols over targeted areas. Beyond intelligence-gathering, Orion drones are also armed, capable of carrying air-to-surface missiles and aerial bombs, including guided glide bombs such as the KAB series.
Magyar warned that the Orion poses a significant battlefield threat, given its dual role in both surveillance and precision strike operations. Its loss marks a notable setback for Russia’s aerial reconnaissance and strike capabilities in the ongoing war.
He shared a video on his Telegram channel robert_magyar on September 13, 2025.
Diplomat Times has not independently verified the authenticity of the video. The footage’s credibility remains unconfirmed.
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