Ukraine’s recent intelligence findings reveal the presence of foreign-made components in a Russian loitering munition, specifically the V2U drone, which has been deployed in attacks on the northeastern city of Sumy. The data was unveiled by the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Defence Intelligence and highlights the drone’s capabilities in real-time image recognition and autonomous target acquisition, requiring minimal human input.
Key to the V2U’s advanced functionality is the integration of the NVIDIA Jetson Orin, a powerful AI processing unit developed by an American firm. This allows the drone to perform complex image analysis and target identification. Furthermore, the drone utilizes the Intel AC 8265 for dual-band wireless communication and also features a high-resolution imaging sensor produced by Sony, a notable Japanese electronics giant.
The recovered components not only underscore the global supply chain’s impact on the conflict but also show that while the V2U is predominantly made up of Chinese-manufactured parts, some individual components carry Russian branding. Among the multinational elements retrieved are an Irish electromagnetic relay, a microcontroller from Switzerland, and a motion controller fabricated in Taiwan.
The technical specifications of the V2U drone provide insight into its operational capabilities. With a wingspan of 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) and a battery capacity of 34 ampere-hours, the drone can operate for up to an hour, reaching speeds of 60 kilometers (37 miles) per hour, while carrying payloads of approximately 3.5 kilograms (7.7 pounds). The V2U typically delivers a combination of high-explosive munitions and fragmentation devices, making it a versatile weapon in the current conflict.
The context of this intelligence report comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian forces of deliberately targeting civilian areas in Sumy, which is in close proximity to the Russian border. Tensions in the region have escalated, leading to an order in May for the evacuation of additional villages in anticipation of a potential large-scale ground assault by Russian troops.
Since the onset of the conflict in 2022, the city of Sumy has been subjected to numerous air strikes, primarily from drones, amid ongoing international negotiations aimed at resolving the hostilities along the eastern NATO front. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue their efforts to counteract the Russian advances, which include the strategic use of drones to locate enemy positions.
