Russian Army Deploys Jellyfish-Like KVS Drone for 50km Strikes

A new offensive unmanned aerial vehicle designated "Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich" (KVS) has been spotted on the Russian-Ukrainian front line. The drone is manufactured by the Russian production and research center "Oshchinkovik," which previously gained recognition for developing the "Prince Vandal Novgorodsky" (KVN) fiber-optic FPV drone.

KVS Design and Capabilities

Military blogger Kirill Fedorov stated that the new KVS drone is capable of flying farther than most quadcopters and is designed to deliver strikes from distances exceeding 50 kilometers. Unlike standard FPV drones, the KVS features a distinctive oval casing that functions as a wing, allowing the aircraft to take off vertically while maintaining high speed and extended range.

The protective shell shields the propeller group from enemy counter-drones, nets, and other traps. This unique structural design gives the KVS a visual resemblance to a jellyfish, according to Fedorov.

Impact of Fiber-Optic Drones

Fiber-optic guided attack drones have been in widespread use since August 2024, playing a significant role in liberating Russia’s Kursk region from Ukrainian armed forces. Alexey Chadayev, General Director of Oshchinkovik, claimed that the deployment of these drones resulted in the "genocide" of enemy armored vehicles.

Chadayev noted that this effectiveness led Ukrainian forces to abandon large-scale mechanized attacks involving tanks, BMPs, and other armored equipment on the battlefield. Fedorov added that KVN fiber-optic drones destroyed Ukrainian equipment worth the equivalent of two German Bundeswehr armies.

Oshchinkovik Production Network

The Oshchinkovik research and production center began operations in Veliky Novgorod, Russia, in 2024. Since its inception, the center has consolidated 30 companies across 10 Russian regions specializing in the development of cable-guided drones and counter-drone protection systems.