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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
In the fifth year of the full-scale war, Russia released its version of a heavy bomber. In doing so, it copied the development of the Ukrainian Vampire, which has been in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces since 2022 year.
As the military portal Military says, the Russian heavy drone-bomber, developed by the companies "Baikalskaya Tactical Group" from Ulan-Ude and "Courier", was named "Mangus".
The hexacopter "Mangus" is the Russians' response to the Ukrainian unmanned aircraft VAMPIRE, which in Russia is called "Baba Yaga". Previously, Russia's inability to manufacture heavy bomber drones on its own led to the creation of a network for repairing captured and shot-down Ukrainian VAMPIRES, analysts write.
Its production was announced in September 2025 year. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the new drone has already been used in the war against Ukraine. In particular, it is used by Russian servicemen from 11-th Army Corps of the North group.
It is noted that it has a thermal imaging camera and is therefore used mainly at night. It is said that the "Mangus" carries out tasks to support frontline units and is also used as a tactical unmanned bomber.
The drone is built on a multirotor scheme with six booms bearing the rotors. In general, it has the classic layout architecture characteristic of aircraft of this class, the authors add.
The drone runs on a battery and is equipped with an autopilot system, as well as protection against countermeasures (REW). The stated maximum flight range is up to 50 km, under minimal load.
How Ukraine and partners are modernizing heavy drones
Recall that the Defense Forces are using a new FireFly upgrade module designed for use on heavy strike drones. The module is installed on the munition that is suspended to the drone-bomber. The system is capable of autonomously correcting the trajectory of the munition after it is acquired by the operator and the munition is released.
At the same time, Ukraine relies on heavy drones for logistics tasks. Drones transport cargo to deliver supplies to areas where it is dangerous for people to be.
And during the defensive Enforce Tac exhibition 2026 in Germany, the Danish company Hecto Drone unveiled for the first time a heavy hexacopter with a suspended combat module, equipped with two semi-automatic rifles.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Росіянам нарешті вдалося скопіювати важкий дрон "Вампір": де його вже застосовують". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: UNIAN.
