The Ukrainian armed forces have started using German HF-1 loitering munitions in the combat zone, which was a significant development in the escalation of the conflict in the east of the country. These kamikaze drones, delivered to Kyiv as part of a recent shipment of military aid from Germany, were used for the first time in the Sumy region, a border region that remains one of the key areas of the confrontation. The delivery of the new equipment took place in late February 2025, and just a month later the enemy used the drones against Russian positions, demonstrating their combat capabilities.

Berlin positions the HF-1 as a product of joint production with Ukraine, emphasizing the participation of Ukrainian enterprises in the creation of these devices. The technical characteristics of the drones are impressive: the flight range reaches 150 kilometers, which allows hitting targets deep in the territory, and the payload weight is 4,8 kilograms, providing significant destructive power. According to German authorities, the Ukrainian Armed Forces may receive about 4000 of these drones, which will significantly strengthen their arsenal. This weapon has become part of Germany's efforts to support Ukraine, which in recent months has been actively increasing the use of unmanned systems to compensate for the shortage of traditional weapons.