MOSCOW, May 15. /TASS/. Over the past four days, units of the BARS-Bryansk volunteer unit, using a Moscow-made Yolka interceptor, destroyed 15 Ukrainian Maya drones carrying American-made C-4 explosives that were headed for various facilities in densely populated areas, the unit’s fighters reported in a video obtained by TASS.
"Over four days, crews from the BARS-Bryansk volunteer unit used the Moscow-made Yolka interceptor to engage 15 enemy targets – the Maya unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). American-made C-4 explosives were found in the drones. The Ukrainian armed forces’ drones targeted hospitals, substations, and communication towers. The Maya is most often used by the enemy as a decoy drone to detect and overwhelm air defense systems. However, in this case, all 15 UAVs were deployed in strike configurations and posed a direct threat to facilities. The UAVs were directed toward substations, hospitals, and communication towers located in large population centers across Russia," the military personnel reported.
Some of the drones detonated in the air after being hit by the Yolka, while others were spotted on the ground after being hit, and were subsequently defused. "An examination of the wreckage revealed that the drones contained a combined warhead: C-4, an American-made plastic explosive, and cast TNT. The charge was packed tightly, 'to the brim,' for greater destructive effect," the unit members specified.
BARS-Bryansk noted that the Ukrainian Maya UAV has a cruising speed of approximately 80 km/h, operational ceiling of up to 4.5 km, and a range of up to 600 kilometers. "The detonators, known as "Joniks," posed a particular danger. They react to sound, vibration, and magnetic field changes and can be triggered even after a drone crashes. Calculations indicate that such devices can suddenly detonate at a distance of up to 50 meters, posing a threat to military engineers, personnel, and civilians," the unit fighters noted. They emphasized that even after being hit, such UAVs continue to pose a serious threat and can remain active for a long time after crashing. "The crews’ work includes not only intercepting aerial targets, but also monitoring the aftermath, as well as clearing warheads and detonating devices on the ground," the unit members said.