"Reliable and deadly weapon": What is Sych UAV, which brings "fiery disco" to Russians at night

Content 

1. What is the Sych UAV?  

2. Sych UAV characteristics  

3. How the Sych UAV works  

4. The Sych complex on the frontline  

What is the Sych UAV?

The new drone with this name was first announced in June 2023 by the charity fund "Come Back Alive." At that time, the drone was introduced as a reconnaissance UAV, described as "one of the best in its niche," with high-quality photographic capabilities, and it was reported that the Sych was already carrying out tasks on the frontlines.

It was also reported that the cost is approximately 2 million UAH. This price includes the Sych complex, which consists of two drones, a catapult, and a mobile control station.  

Subsequently, new modifications of the Sych were developed.  

"Initially, it was presented as a reconnaissance drone, later modified – and now it is used as a strike-reconnaissance drone. Ukrainian special forces effectively use it to destroy both enemy personnel and armored vehicles," stated the spokesperson of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Andriy Yusov, in February 2024.  

At the same time, Ukraine's spy chief, Kyrylo Budanov, emphasized that the Sych drones target armored vehicles, small fortifications, and groups of enemy personnel.

"The Sych unmanned system has been in use for quite a long time. It has proven itself to be a reliable and deadly weapon," commented the military intelligence chief.

Sych UAV characteristics

The information about the manufacturer of the Sych UAV is kept confidential for security reasons. It is known, however, that the manufacturer is Ukrainian. Very little technical information about the drone's specifications has been released.

As for flight range, when the UAV was first presented, the "Come Back Alive" foundation mentioned a range of 200 km. Andriy Yusov said that "in strike mode, the Sych works excellently within a 50-kilometer zone."  

In March 2024, the commander of a strike-reconnaissance drone group, Vitaliy (call sign Berserk), who works daily with the Sych, reported that the flight range depends on the modification and can reach 85 km in one direction (meaning the total flight range is 170 km). The military also emphasized that the manufacturers are continuously working on increasing the drone’s range and payload capacity. Therefore, it is likely that these parameters have improved by now.

The payload of the Sych UAV is 4 kg. It has two suspensions on the underside of the drone, to which ammunition is attached, and the UAV synchronously drops them using a ballistic calculator.

How the Sych UAV works

Pilot training for the Sych UAV takes place in Ukraine.

"The drone's effectiveness is limited by the training of the crews – the more of them, the better. It's not that hard to learn, but it requires brains, motivation, and some gaming experience. Nowadays, many military tools are being gamified. If you’ve ever played a simulator or some games, then the drone is for you," described the work with the Sych by a UAV operator with the call sign Dodge.

Unlike 'kamikaze' drones, the Sych is a reusable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). One of its significant advantages is its ability to operate at night. It is likely that this capability is why the system was named after a nocturnal predator. "It’s as simple, convenient, reliable, and fail-proof as possible. The Sych drones operate effectively. Compared to other systems, the losses are minimal," said the operator with the call sign Crouch.

If an operational group receives satellite images and decides to strike with the Sych, they load the drone with ammunition and send it along a pre-determined route. The Sych can carry various types of munitions, including fragmentation, high-explosive, or shaped charges. The UAV flies autonomously, unlike some foreign analogs that rely on radio control. The autonomous flight mode allows the crew to safely retreat from the launch position and avoid unnecessary exposure to danger.

"When the Sych operates autonomously, the operator cannot see the UAV’s data – where it is, what it is doing, etc. However, when it returns, the data is retrieved, and they review the video to see if the target was hit and what other targets were spotted on its way," said Vitaliy "Berserk." He also mentioned that there were cases when the drone, while targeting a smaller object, captured footage of a more valuable target (such as the Podlyot radar system, worth several million dollars), which was bombed the next day.

Another advantage of the UAV is its protection against electronic warfare. The Sych is equipped with two jamming-resistant modules, which, through specific algorithms, block false data from the enemy.

Sych in action on the frontline

The commander of the GUR’s strike-reconnaissance drone group, Vitaliy (Berserk), says that attacking fortifications is not a task for the Sych. The UAV targets armored vehicles, as it is equipped with various munitions, including anti-tank grenades. However, the Sych’s favorite targets are the expensive enemy air defense systems.

"When we talk about antennas and phased arrays, they are quite vulnerable. And any shrapnel in the munition can hit them," the soldier explained.

In addition to radars and military vehicles, Sych drones also target warehouses and enemy personnel clusters. The system is supplied to the Defense Forces by many charitable organizations and various units (e.g., the 58th and 129th brigades, among others). Special Forces of the military intelligence regularly use these systems and publish videos of successful strikes with the drones. The latest video is dated April 2025. 

"Thanks to the strike-reconnaissance UAVs Sych, the soldiers of the military intelligence regularly organize fiery night 'discos' for the Russians. The video shows further episodes of the destruction and targeting of enemy field command posts, warehouses, camouflaged equipment, vehicles, and locations where Russian invaders are concentrated," reads the description.

In a January video report, it was mentioned that the Sych struck ammunition and fuel depots, command posts, enemy personnel gathering and living areas, vehicles, power substations, and other vital targets. In the summer, Ukrainian scouts destroyed military equipment, surveillance systems, logistics facilities, and field fortifications of the Russians.

"The operational range of these systems allows them to strike unexpectedly and effectively," wrote the military intelligence. As of February 2024, the Sych UAVs had destroyed over $100 million worth of enemy equipment, according to Andriy Yusov.

Operators emphasize that although the Sych targets specific objectives individually, its actions create optimal conditions for using other UAVs. 

"By destroying radar stations and air defense systems, it essentially clears the way for other strike weapons – kamikaze drones, thus creating a 'corridor.' Once we have confirmed a hit, we know that air defense in that area won't be restored for the next 3-4 days. We then use these corridors," explained Berserk.