Russia's Kub Loitering Munition Tested in Mountainous Terrain, Kalashnikov Says

Russian arms manufacturer Kalashnikov has said that its Kub loitering munition was tested in mountainous terrain, with the munitions launched at altitudes exceeding 1,500 meters, according to a report from TASS.

Loitering munitions, sometimes referred to as "kamikaze drones," are a class of weapon designed to circle a target area before striking, combining elements of guided missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The Kub system is one of several such munitions developed by Kalashnikov, a major Russian state-linked defense manufacturer.

TASS did not provide further detail on the specific location of the mountainous terrain tests, the number of munitions involved, or the stated purpose of conducting trials at high altitude beyond the figures cited by the manufacturer.

Context

Russian defense manufacturers have publicized a range of weapons tests and upgrades throughout the war in Ukraine, often through state and state-linked media such as TASS. Claims about weapons performance made by manufacturers in these reports are not independently verified in this item.

Loitering munitions have played an increasingly prominent role in the Russia-Ukraine war, with both sides deploying various drone and munition systems extensively on the battlefield.