Russia has introduced a new type of kamikaze drone, designated BM-35 by Ukrainian intelligence, in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. According to the specialized outlet Militarnyi, the drone has already carried out multiple attacks on frontline Ukrainian villages, damaging civilian infrastructure.
Military analyst Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov shared the findings on Telegram, along with intercepted footage showing the BM-35 targeting the Sumy regional administration in northeastern Ukraine. The drone features a delta-wing design and an uncertain payload capacity. It is powered by a two-stroke DLE gasoline engine with a front-mounted propeller and is equipped with an analog video transmission system operating at 3.3 GHz, along with a targeting camera capable of real-time video streaming.
Ukrainian experts initially misidentified the drone as belonging to the Zala “Italmaz” family, but further analysis confirmed it as a previously undocumented system. Defense intelligence officials have so determined that the BM-35 incorporates at least 41 foreign components, including parts sourced from Switzerland, the United States, Taiwan, and—most extensively—China.
The repeated use of these drones against civilian areas has raised concerns over their impact on both infrastructure and local morale.
