Russia is allegedly using a new suicide drone against Ukraine's military forces. This was revealed by the American think tank, the Institute for the Study of War. 

(Photo: FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images) A member of the Ukrainian special forces is seen in silhouette as he stands while a gas station burns after Russian attacks in the city of Kharkiv on March 30, 2022, during Russia's invasion launched on Ukraine.

Based on its latest analysis, the agency claimed that Moscow has been deploying "Izdeliye-53" warfare weapons on a limited scale since Oct. 21. 

The Izdeliye-53 is believed to be an upgraded version of the Lancent UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). Here's what experts revealed about this new suicide drone. 

Russia Allegedly Using New Suicide Drone Against Ukraine Forces

According to Newsweek's latest report, ISW sources claimed that the new Lancet suicide drone can automatically hit its target without the help of human operators. 

This is because of the new automatic guidance system, which allows the UAV weapon to distinguish different kinds of targets. Aside from this, the technology also increases the strike success rates of Izdeliye-53 drones. 

The American think tank warned that the Russian military forces are testing the uncrewed kamikaze drones as they prepare for mass synchronized swarm attacks against Ukrainian troops. 

EurAsian Times reported that some Russian Telegram channels even shared videos captured by the newer Lancet drones' cameras, which are installed on the UAV's nose. 

These videos showed that upgraded Lancet kamikaze drones now use a green box indicator to identify their targets. After that, the drone will show the "target acquired" message, which means that it will now strike the target.

Read Also: US, Russia Offer Israel-Hamas War Resolution To UN; What To Know About Humanitarian Pause, Ceasefire

Lancet's Importance To Russia

(Photo: OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images) People wearing military camouflage look at drones on display in an exhibition in the 'PMC Wagner Centre', associated with the founder of the Wagner private military group (PMC) Yevgeny Prigozhin, during the official opening of the office block on the National Unity Day, in Saint Petersburg.

The Russian government is believed to have been using cheap suicide drones ever since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022. 

Some Ukrainian artillery soldiers admitted that the Lancet drones are among Moscow's key threats after the Russian government started using them more in the past few months. 

Each Lancet drone is estimated to cost around $35,000, making it a more cost-effective way for Russian forces to strike Ukrainian targets. 

These kamikaze drones are cheaper compared to using missiles. Another benefit that Lancet drones offer is that they are not as destructive as ballistic and other kinds of missiles since they only destroy specific targets. 

Russia has been taking advantage of its Lancet drones to overwhelm the air defenses of Ukraine by deploying swarms of Lancet drones.  

Related Article: Ukraine's M39 Missiles Reportedly Destroyed 21 Russian Helicopters in One Operation