The Russian armed forces have stepped up the use of the new loitering munition "Banderol" to strike the southern regions of Ukraine, the press service of the Defense Forces of the South reported. According to the spokesman of the group Vladislav Voloshin, several dozen cases of using this weapon, which is a hybrid of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a cruise missile, have already been recorded. Launched from large drones, such as the Russian "Orion", the munitions strike objects at a significant distance from the front line, creating a serious threat to Ukrainian infrastructure.

As Voloshin noted on the air of the telethon, the Banderol munition is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing about 150 kg, of which 49,5 kg is explosive. Its key feature is its high speed, reaching 480-650 km/h, and the ability to maneuver, which allows it to evade air defense systems. The launch is carried out from the Orion UAV, produced by JSC Kronshtadt, which reduces the risk to Russian aviation, since the strikes are carried out from the depths of the territory, outside the range of Ukrainian air defense. According to The Telegraph, the Banderol is a light and relatively cheap cruise missile capable of hitting targets at a distance of over 500 kilometers, which makes it an effective tool for attacks behind enemy lines.

The use of "Banderoli" has been recorded mainly in the Odessa region, where, according to UNIAN, about 2025 attacks have been noted since the end of April 20. Experts point out that the munition is capable of bypassing air defense systems due to its maneuverability and low-altitude flight, following the terrain.