Knyaz Veshchiy Oleg (KVO)
Tactical scout that finds targets for artillery and strike drones
Reconnaissance and fire-correction drone from the Russian company Ushkuynik, which also makes the fibre-optic FPV 'Knyaz Vandal Novgorodsky' and the 'Osoyed' interceptor. According to the Ukrainian company Generalchereshnya, based on interceptions it was the second most common Russian reconnaissance drone in March 2026, after the Zala; the number shot down quadrupled in a month. Ukrainian units list it as 'KVO' in their kill tallies. Specifications are Russian-side claims via Militarnyi; not independently confirmed.
Learn more in the Drone Academy →Key data
- Manufacturer
- Ushkuynik (Russia)
- Wingspan
- 2.8 m
- Max. take-off weight
- 11 kg
- Range / endurance
- up to 45 km / up to 3.5 hours
- Speed / ceiling
- up to 130 km/h / up to 3,000 m
- Source of figures
- Russian-side claims via Militarnyi (27 Apr 2026)
Equipment
- Sensors
- Chinese D-80AI camera system on a 3-axis gimbal (Full HD wide-angle + 10× optical zoom), night vision and AI-assisted target detection and tracking; forward-looking IP camera
- Navigation
- Four-channel CRPA antenna for navigation under EW jamming
- Propulsion
- Two Chinese SunnySky electric motors on the wings (flying-wing design)
- Components
- According to Militarnyi including 33 US and 5 Swiss components; flight controller with STMicroelectronics chips and CUAV parts
Relevance
- Use
- Growing share of Russian tactical reconnaissance: second only to the Zala (March 2026). On 12 Oct 2026 the Signum unit of the 57th Brigade reported four 'KVO' among 25 Russian drones shot down in one night — source: ArmyInform, RU Mil Tracker e-20261014-s04
- See also
- The ZALA Z-16, SuperCam S350 and Orlan-10 cards
News archive 2
Analysed reports from the RU Mil Tracker about this system, newest first. Archive since 2026-07-17.
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«„Залізні птахи“ проти „Шахедів“: батарея перехоплювачів збила дев’ять цілей за пів дня» (ArmyInform: '"Iron Birds" vs Shaheds: interceptor battery downs nine targets in half a day')
Ukraine's 3rd Separate Heavy Mechanised 'Iron' Brigade has released video of its 'Iron Birds' interceptor battery, part of the brigade's anti-aircraft missile battalion, which it says destroyed nine Russian Shahed attack drones in half a day. According to ArmyInform, the video shows most of the nine interceptions. The brigade says the battery also shot down…
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«Ланцети», «Орлани» і «Князь»: Пілоти Signum за ніч знищили 25 російських безпілотників різних типів (ArmyInform: Lancets, Orlans and 'Knyaz' – Signum pilots destroyed 25 Russian drones of various types overnight)
Ukrainian state outlet ArmyInform reports that drone pilots of the Signum unit of the 57th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade shot down 25 Russian UAVs of various types during one night of 'air patrol' over Ukrainian territory, and released video of the engagements. The list given is eight Zala, four Lancet, five Supercam, four 'KVO', one Merlin, two Orlan…