Video: Ukrainian 'Dragon' drone appears to destroy Russian tank

• New footage shows a Ukrainian “Dragon” drone appearing to destroy a Russian tank with “molten thermite.”
• The footage was shared on X by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.
• Military experts say such drones are intended to spread terror among Russian troops.

New footage appears to show a Ukrainian “Dragon” drone destroying a Russian tank.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry shared the video on X on Friday, claiming in the caption that the drone fired “molten thermite” at the Russian tank.

Forbes reported that the attack took place near Minkivka in eastern Ukraine.

Business Insider could not independently verify the footage.

Ukrainian forces apparently began using thermite drones in September, when several videos appeared online that appeared to show drones distributing the incendiary material, which can melt metal.

Thermite is a mixture of aluminum powder and a metal oxide that can burn at temperatures of about 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit when ignited.

James Patton Rogers, drone expert and executive director of the Cornell Brooks Tech Policy Institute, previously told Business Insider that thermite has been used militarily since the advent of air warfare.

But using drones for operations is “a novel and fearsome addition to modern warfare,” he said, adding that they could be used to force retreat “through fear and fire.”

“The ubiquitous use of drones in the skies above the battlefield is frightening enough, but those below must now contend with the very literal threat of molten metal and fire raining down from above,” said Patton Rogers.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry said on Saturday that its forces had eliminated 8,916 Russian tanks since the war began in February 2022.

Increasing equipment losses will further strain Moscow's rising defense spending, which has led to rampant inflation in Russia.

The Russian central bank raised its key interest rate to 19% in September, citing persistently high inflation pressure.