MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. A Ukrainian Tu-143 Reis unmanned aerial vehicle was downed by Russian air defense systems, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkoc said on Friday.

"Russian air defense systems downed a Ukrainian Tu-143 Reis unmanned aerial vehicle near the settlement of Oktyabrsky," he said.

The Tu-143 Reis is a Soviet heavy reconnaissance UAV. Its mass production kicked off in the 1970s. The vehicle is equipped with special sensors, photo, television and infra-red instruments.

According to data from open sources, the UAV is eight meters long, with the wings spanning 2.24 meters. Weighing 1,230 kilograms, the UAV can develop a speed of 950 kilometers per hour. The flight range is 180 kilometers and the maximal altitude is 1,000 meters.