New Ukrainian B-2 Drone Destroys Two Russian Tor-M2 Systems in One Strike

(DONETSK AND LUHANSK OBLASTS, UKRAINE) – Ukraine has demonstrated the use of its newest attack drone, the B-2 mid range strike drone, in a series of effective strikes that destroyed multiple Russian short range air defence systems. A compilation video shows the new kamikaze drones targeting and eliminating a pair of Tor-M2 surface to air missile systems and one Osa SAM system, with Russian interception attempts proving notably unsuccessful.

In the first engagement, a Tor-M2 system attempted to intercept an incoming B-2 drone. The initial missile fired straight up, appearing to target a T-72 turret rather than the aerial threat. A second missile performed marginally better, narrowly missing the attack drone. There is a suspicious cut in the video at this point, suggesting the missile may have detonated and disabled the drone with shrapnel. A follow up drone did the job and hit the Tor, presumably destroying it.

The second Tor-M2 was struck while moving along a road. The B-2 drone hit the vehicle in the rear, disabling it. As the system sat stationary and presumably abandoned, another drone flew in to deliver an additional strike. A third drone then flew overhead, capturing footage of the burning wreckage. The third target, an Osa short range SAM system, also attempted an interception but missed badly. The Osa was hit on the side. A follow up drone flying overhead captured the system burning afterwards. This one can definitely be said to be destroyed, with no question about it.

Towards the end of the video, a compilation of strikes on rail infrastructure was shown. A train burned as a drone flew overhead, followed by a drone strike on a moving locomotive with no spotter drone for that one. Various bases and warehouses were also hit. Little context was provided for these strikes, but they looked like solid hits and were presumably good targets.

Limited technical information is available online about the B-2 mid range strike drone. Reportedly, it carries a 7 to 11 kilogramme warhead, making it considerably smaller than the FP-1 drone, which has a 50 to 60 kilogramme warhead, and the FP-2 drone, which carries over 100 kilogrammes. The design philosophy appears to prioritise a smaller signature, making the drone harder to detect, whilst still packing a big enough punch to destroy a vehicle. It also possesses a long enough range to hit Russia deep in the rear, similar to the way FP-1 and FP-2 drones operate. They seem quite good at it.

No precise location was given for the strikes, other than somewhere in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Regarding the wider attrition of Russian air defence assets, 38 Osa systems have been documented on WarSpotting so far, but the true number is definitely higher as some destroyed units have not been added. Russia had around 100 of those in service. As for the Tor-M2, Russia had around 130 in service, with around 70 confirmed as destroyed so far. As they are still under production, it is hard to say for certain how many Russia currently has. The true number is likely higher, estimated at around 80 or even 90 destroyed.