A new weapon, dubbed the “dragon drone,” has emerged in the Russia-Ukraine war. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have shared visuals of drones raining down fire, which has led to this weapon being labeled as such. However, the substance being released from these drones is not fire, but molten metal, which burns at a staggering 2,427 degrees Celsius.
What Are Dragon Drones?
Dragon drones are equipped with thermite, a mixture of aluminum and iron oxide. Thermite has been in existence for over a century, originally developed to weld railroad tracks. When ignited with an electrical fuse, it triggers a self-sustaining reaction that is nearly impossible to extinguish. This reaction can burn through almost any material, including clothes, trees, military vehicles, and even under water. On human bodies, thermite causes devastating burns and can damage bones, often leading to fatal injuries.
Thermite and Drone Technology
The combination of thermite with high-precision drones makes dragon drones highly effective and dangerous. According to the United Kingdom-based anti-war advocacy group, Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), drones equipped with thermite can bypass traditional defense systems, making them a significant threat on the battlefield.
Deployment in the Russia-Ukraine War
The first reported use of dragon drones in the Russia-Ukraine conflict was around September. The New York Times reported that Ukrainian forces used these drones to ignite vegetation used by Russian troops for cover, exposing them and their equipment to direct attacks. Soon after, Russian forces also began deploying dragon drones in combat.
Thermite in Historical Warfare
Thermite has been used in warfare for over a century. During World War I, German zeppelins dropped thermite-laden bombs as a novel weapon. By World War II, both the Allies and Axis powers employed thermite-laden incendiary explosives as a standard part of their bombing campaigns. The Allies, for instance, dropped millions of thermite bombs on Germany and Japan. Thermite hand grenades were also used to disable enemy artillery without causing explosions.
Modern Usage of Thermite
In modern warfare, thermite is typically used by espionage agents or special operations teams because of its intense burn that produces little noise. While thermite itself is not prohibited under international law, its use is regulated. The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) restricts the use of incendiary weapons like thermite against civilian targets. Protocol III of the CCW limits the use of thermite to strictly military targets, due to its potential to cause severe burns and respiratory injuries.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What substance do dragon drones release?
- A) Napalm
- B) Thermite
- C) Phosphorus
- D) Gunpowder
Answer: B) Thermite
- What is the burning temperature of thermite?
- A) 1,500 degrees Celsius
- B) 2,427 degrees Celsius
- C) 3,000 degrees Celsius
- D) 1,200 degrees Celsius
Answer: B) 2,427 degrees Celsius
- Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of thermite?
- A) It can burn through military-grade vehicles.
- B) It can burn underwater.
- C) It requires a loud explosion to ignite.
- D) It can cause severe burns to humans.
Answer: C) It requires a loud explosion to ignite.
- When were dragon drones first deployed in the Russia-Ukraine war?
- A) June
- B) September
- C) November
- D) August
Answer: B) September
- What is prohibited under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons?
- A) Use of thermite against military targets
- B) Use of incendiary weapons against civilian targets
- C) Use of any type of drones
- D) Use of thermite in espionage
Answer: B) Use of incendiary weapons against civilian targets.