Ukraine is deploying thermite-equipped “dragon drones” in its ongoing conflict with Russian forces. A series of videos shared across social media, including a post by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry on Telegram, showcase drones dropping streams of fire over Russian-occupied areas. This fire is molten metal—thermite, a mixture of aluminum powder and iron oxide that burns at temperatures up to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,200 degrees Celsius). When deployed, the thermite can strip away tree cover and vegetation, leaving Russian troops exposed and vulnerable.
The drones have earned the nickname “dragon drones” due to the fiery streams of molten metal, which resemble flames from a dragon’s mouth. The Ukrainian 60th Mechanized Brigade captured the public’s attention with a social media post stating, “Strike Drones are our wings of vengeance, bringing fire straight from the sky!” The post further emphasized the precision of these drones, adding, “They become a real threat to the enemy, burning his positions with an accuracy that no other weapon can achieve.”
Ukraine’s use of thermite drones is designed not only for physical destruction but also to create a psychological impact on Russian forces. Nicholas Drummond, a defense industry analyst and former British Army officer noted, “It is very nasty stuff. Using a drone to deliver it is quite innovative… its effect will have been psychological more than physical.” He explained that Ukraine’s current thermite capacity remains limited, making it more of a specialized tactic than a widespread weapon.
Thermite, a material discovered by a German chemist in the 1890s, has been historically used for military purposes due to its high-temperature burn. The Germans used it during World War I, and both sides employed it during World War II, including to disable enemy artillery by melting their components from the inside. In Ukraine’s current conflict, thermite bombs have reportedly been used to disable Russian tanks, with the incendiary being dropped directly through hatches to destroy everything inside.
An analysis by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) highlighted the effectiveness of thermite in modern drone warfare: “This precision, combined with the drone’s ability to bypass traditional defenses, makes thermite bombs a highly effective tool in modern warfare.”
While thermite offers significant destructive capabilities, it is also one of many incendiary weapons with devastating effects. According to the United Nations Office for Disarmament, incendiary weapons like thermite, napalm, and white phosphorus can cause widespread destruction and environmental harm. The unpredictable fires these weapons ignite can devastate entire areas, and under international law, their use against civilian targets is strictly prohibited.
The primary objective of these thermite-equipped “dragon drones” is to strike fear into Russian troops. “The more Ukraine can instill a fear of drones, the better its chances of success,” said Drummond. He noted instances where Russian forces, under multiple drone attacks, abandoned their positions out of fear.
Ukraine’s tactical innovations in drone warfare, combined with its recent incursion into Russian territory near Kursk, suggest that Ukrainian forces are gaining confidence in their ability to challenge Moscow’s military might.