Fixed-wing reconnaissance drone Knyaz Veschy Oleg now in use in special op

Fixed-wing reconnaissance drone Knyaz Veshchy Oleg in use

The Knyaz Veshchy Oleg, a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for reconnaissance missions up to 45 kilometers, has been deployed in the special military operation zone, according to Alexey Chadayev, CEO of the Ushkuynik Research and Production Center.

Development and purpose

Chadayev explained that advances in FPV air defense systems, which target enemy drones, have drastically reduced UAV survivability, causing many to be shot down quickly. In response, Ushkuynik specialists developed Knyaz Veshchy Oleg to match the capabilities of Russia’s top reconnaissance drones while being significantly cheaper, allowing for higher production and deployment rates.

Survivability and tactical advantage

The drone shows high survivability in combat conditions. Chadayev noted that it is often mistaken by Ukrainian forces for their own UAVs, which contributes to its effectiveness in the field.

"The development of FPV air defense systems — drones that engage enemy UAVs in the air – has led to the literal genocide of reconnaissance drones on both sides. They are being shot down en masse. No matter how advanced a device may be, its service life in the air is limited. This prompted specialists at the Ushkuynik Research and Production Center to develop a drone that, while having similar characteristics to Russia’s leading reconnaissance UAVs, would be significantly cheaper and therefore could be produced and supplied on a larger scale. The Knyaz Veshchy Oleg drone became the result of this effort."

"The UAV demonstrates high survivability, as Ukrainian troops often mistake it for their own drones."

Author's summary: The Knyaz Veshchy Oleg drone combines cost-efficiency with high survivability, making it a significant asset in modern reconnaissance missions.

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TASS Russian News Agency TASS Russian News Agency — 2025-11-07

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