Mykolaiv region reinforces mobile firing groups with drones «Molniya», — Kim

Vitaly Kim at the final conference for 2025. Archive photo: NikVesti

Russia has changed the tactics of air attacks in Mykolaiv region, launching drones at low altitudes, including a new type of UAV — «Molniya».

This was reported by the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration Vitalii Kim on his Telegram channel.

According to him, mobile fire groups are being strengthened in Mykolaiv region and the air defence system is being improved.

«I believe that due to the effective work of our electronic warfare throughout the country, and especially in Mykolaiv region, the enemy has started launching all «Shaheds» at too low altitudes. That is why we have also got «Molniya». This means that we will increase the number of mobile fire groups — our old, good, but somewhat forgotten ones that could not reach targets at high altitudes before,» said Vitalii Kim.

A Russian soldier with a drone «Molniya», photo from the BBC Ukraine website

According to him, drones «Molniya» can be shot down in «manual mode».

«I can't call for this, but those who, relatively speaking, those who have buried a machine gun under an apple tree, can get it out. We are concerned about that «Molniya» can be knocked down with a single shot — even from a hunting rifle. They contain up to three kilograms of explosives, so you need to do it carefully: in the field, away from people. But in general, it is already possible to shoot them down manually. We will wait for the result,» added Vitalii Kim.

In addition, in an interview with «Novosti.LIVE» interview, Vitalii Kim added that «Molniya» from Starlink has a longer range and is already capable of reaching Mykolaiv.

«The problem is that these «Lightning» from Starlink have a longer range and can already reach Mykolaiv. At the same time, there are countermeasures, primarily electronic warfare, which limits their capabilities. In addition, we are increasing the number of air defence systems, including what I call «Mykolaiv anti-shahed drones» and interceptors, which are being developed and produced in Ukraine. The main problem with these «Molniya» drones is that they are cheap, actually made of sticks, and that makes them difficult to detect,» said Vitalii Kim.

As a reminder, on Wednesday, 17 December, Russian troops attacked the city with an attack drone. It was a UAV of the «Molniya» type. As a result of the shelling, windows in a nine-storey residential building were smashed, a bus and the gas network were damaged.