Ukraine War: Germany has announced funding for the mass production of 500 units of the An-196 “Liutyi” long-range kamikaze drone, a powerful Ukrainian-designed system aimed at striking deep within Russian territory. The agreement, disclosed on July 1, 2025, is a groundbreaking development in Ukraine’s drone warfare capabilities and a milestone in European military aid strategy.
The An-196 Liutyi is a long-range kamikaze drone engineered by Ukraine for precision attacks on strategic targets deep inside Russian territory. With a range of approximately 1,200 kilometers and a 50-kilogram explosive payload, the Liutyi represents a significant leap in Ukraine’s indigenous drone technology. Unlike its predecessor, the Bober drone, which was limited to a 600 km range, the Liutyi offers double the operational distance while maintaining a relatively low cost profile compared to cruise missiles.
Designed with a streamlined aerodynamic body and built from lightweight composite materials, the Liutyi excels in radar evasion and fuel efficiency. Its advanced guidance system, likely leveraging GNSS-based navigation with possible inertial backups, allows it to precisely hit high-value targets such as oil refineries, military plants, and logistical hubs well beyond the front lines.
This capability reflects a deliberate evolution in Ukraine’s UAV strategy, moving from tactical battlefield loitering munitions to strategic long-range systems designed to inflict psychological and infrastructural damage far behind enemy lines.
Ukraine’s development of the Liutyi was born out of necessity. Faced with a better-funded and larger Russian military, Kyiv recognized that to remain operationally competitive, it had to disrupt Russian logistics and defense infrastructure in depth. The initial concept evolved rapidly as Ukrainian engineers, leveraging combat experience and lessons from other nations’ drone programs, incorporated design elements to maximize efficiency and impact.
Reports suggest that early testing and iterative redesigns helped the Liutyi overcome challenges related to endurance and targeting. Ukraine’s State Concern Ukroboronprom, along with several private defense tech firms, played critical roles in refining the prototype. The final platform reflects a hybrid of battlefield-tested ideas and advanced engineering, akin to the evolution of Iran’s Shahed drone family, which went from localized weapons to region-reaching threats.
The Liutyi has already seen combat use. Most notably, Ukrainian sources confirmed its involvement in the high-profile strike on the Kupol plant in Izhevsk, a facility known for producing military components. While Russia has neither confirmed nor denied the extent of the damage, satellite imagery and intercepted communications support the claim that the drone strike had a significant disruptive effect.
The ability to reach targets as far as the Volga region with relative precision has not only caused logistical setbacks for the Russian military but also forced Moscow to reassess its air defense allocation. In effect, the Liutyi stretches Russia’s already taxed defense infrastructure, compelling it to divert expensive surface-to-air missile systems to protect rear areas.
Compared to Russia’s Lancet drones or Ukraine’s earlier Bober variant, the An-196 Liutyi stands out due to its range, payload, and stealth profile. The Lancet, while effective at frontline precision strikes, has a limited radius and carries smaller warheads. Meanwhile, the Bober served as an essential stepping stone but lacked the reach necessary to disrupt strategic logistics chains.
The Liutyi’s extended-range fuel tanks and efficient propulsion make it a formidable alternative to expensive cruise missiles like the Storm Shadow or US-made Tomahawks. With a unit cost estimated to be half that of a traditional long-range missile, yet with comparable operational reach, the Liutyi opens new tactical options for Ukrainian commanders at a fraction of the financial burden.
Germany’s decision to fund Liutyi production represents a strategic departure from its earlier, more cautious stance. The deal, reportedly worth a “three-digit million sum,” according to Die Welt, marks Berlin’s first formal contract to support long-range Ukrainian drone production. The shift follows Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s statement earlier this year advocating for a strengthened Ukrainian capability in standoff precision strike operations.
Germany’s support for the Liutyi goes beyond traditional aid. By investing directly into Ukraine’s domestic military manufacturing base, Berlin is fostering sustainability in Kyiv’s war effort. This model aligns with growing European sentiment that aid must evolve from emergency arms transfers to longer-term defense partnerships.
Berlin’s move mirrors Sweden’s prior commitment in November 2024, when Stockholm funded a domestic Ukrainian drone production line. Together, these actions may catalyze a broader European industrial policy shift towards empowering Ukraine to be self-sufficient in producing advanced military technologies.
From a strategic standpoint, the implications are profound. Ukraine’s new ability to strike deep behind enemy lines with domestically-produced systems alters the psychological and military dynamics of the war. Every Liutyi sortie poses a credible threat to Russia’s heartland infrastructure, forcing Moscow to reallocate expensive and limited air defense assets.
Russia’s response has been predictably critical. The Kremlin has warned that foreign support for Ukrainian long-range strikes will escalate the conflict and provoke retaliation. Moscow’s narrative frames these efforts as NATO’s indirect participation in aggression against Russia.
Yet, Western capitals increasingly view such investments as necessary to avoid a prolonged stalemate. With US support facing political challenges, European nations like Germany, France, and the Nordics are stepping up with financial and logistical backing tailored to Ukraine’s long-term defense resilience.
The funding of 500 Liutyi units is not just a short-term boon; it lays the foundation for Ukraine’s drone sector to scale rapidly. This contract offers predictable demand and financial security for research, manufacturing, and talent acquisition. Ukrainian firms involved in the drone’s development now have the confidence to invest in new facilities, hire engineers, and explore next-generation concepts such as swarming drones and AI-based targeting.
Germany’s willingness to open discussions on future joint ventures, including drone-launched missile systems like the Bars, further highlights a growing trust in Ukraine’s technological capabilities. Such collaborations could pave the way for NATO-standard drone systems developed within Ukrainian borders, potentially benefiting the alliance more broadly.
Beyond tactical advantages, the Liutyi program is a symbol of Ukraine’s determination to achieve military and technological sovereignty. It demonstrates that with targeted support and creative engineering, even a nation under siege can leapfrog conventional military limitations and become an innovator in asymmetric warfare.
The drone’s name, “Liutyi,” meaning “fierce” or “ruthless” in Ukrainian, reflects the nation’s resolve. As the war enters its fourth year, symbols like the Liutyi are rallying points for both domestic morale and international confidence in Ukraine’s capacity to endure.
Germany’s support for the Liutyi must be viewed within the larger context of shifting European defense policy. The war in Ukraine has spurred historic changes across the continent’s security thinking, prompting rearmament and the emergence of joint defense initiatives.
By investing in Ukrainian UAV production, Berlin sends a message not only to Moscow but also to fellow EU states: that strategic autonomy in defense matters can and should include partnerships with non-EU states resisting aggression. The Liutyi program could become a blueprint for how Europe supports democracies under threat without direct military intervention.
As EU institutions debate new frameworks for security cooperation and defense industry support, the Liutyi may be a case study in proactive, scalable assistance with measurable impact on the battlefield.
The An-196 Liutyi is more than a drone. It is a potent symbol of Ukrainian ingenuity, European resolve, and the future of stand-off warfare. Germany’s commitment to its mass production reflects a strategic shift that prioritizes sustainability, speed, and technological partnership.
With its extended range, precision guidance, and cost-effective production, the Liutyi gives Ukraine the tools it needs to carry the fight beyond the trenches and into the logistical heart of the enemy. As the battlefield expands to include factories, depots, and critical infrastructure, the Liutyi will likely play a central role in shaping the next phase of the conflict.
